Levels of PCDD/Fs in foodstuffs in Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain): Spectacular decrease in the dietary intake of PCDD/Fs in the last 20 years

In this study, we determined the levels polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in 45 "composite" samples of food items belonging to 12 food groups. Foodstuffs were purchased in various locations of Tarragona County, Catalonia, Spain. The daily dietary intake of PCDD/Fs was subsequently estimated for the population living in that County. The highest toxic equivalent (WHO-TEQ) value corresponded to fish (0.103 ng/kg ww), followed by seafood (0.071 ng/kg ww) and eggs (0.070 ng/kg ww). In contrast, the lowest PCDD/F concentrations corresponded to vegetables, tubers, pulses, and fruits (each, 0.003 ng/kg ww). The current dietary intake of PCDD/Fs by the adult population was estimated in 8.54 pg WHO-TEQ/day, being fish and seafood the food groups with the greatest contribution to the dietary exposure of PCDD/Fs, followed by eggs, as well as by meat, oils and fats. The current study shows a continued decrease in the exposure to PCDD/Fs by the general population of Tarragona County since the first survey in the area conducted in 1998. The reduction observed in the last 20 years (from 210 pg I-TEQ/day to 8.54 pg WHO-TEQ/day) is certainly spectacular. The current daily intake (0.122 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw) is also lower than most intakes recently reported in a number of regions and countries.