Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in selected fish species from the southern Baltic Sea

This paper reports concentrations of seven polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in selected fish species that were collected from the southern Baltic in the 2004-2006 period. Differences in concentrations of PBDEs among the fish species were observed. The mean summation Sigma(7)PBDE concentrations measured in herring (Clupeaharengus), sprat (Sprattus sprattus), and salmon (Salmo salar) samples were 1.2 ng g(-1) wet weight, 1.6 ng g(-1) wet weight, and 2.5 ng g(-1) wet weight, respectively. PBDE-47 was the prevalent congener in all the samples tested. PBDE concentrations in the herring samples tested in the current study were similar to those determined in herring sampled in the northern Baltic, but slightly lower in comparison with concentrations in fish from the Belgian North Sea. PBDE levels occurring in salmon sampled in the southern Baltic were lower than those measured in the northern and northeastern Baltic, but similar to levels determined in salmon from the central part of the Baltic Sea. The risk posed by consuming the fish tested in the current study was evaluated according to the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) value for PBDEs recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).