Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in foodstuffs from Taiwan: level and human dietary exposure assessment

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may contaminate food through bioconcentration and biomagnification. PBDEs often exist in the food chain and are consumed by humans. This study aims to determine the concentrations of PBDEs in food intake and to estimate the daily exposure of Taiwanese citizens to PBDEs. One hundred and eight food samples from nine types of commonly consumed foodstuffs were collected from northern, central, southern, and eastern regions of Taiwan. The samples were analyzed for PBDE level by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Also, a daily dietary intake survey was conducted of 466 adults (153 men, 313 women) in these four regions of Taiwan. Taiwanese daily dietary intake of PBDE is calculated by means of food PBDEs level and daily dietary intake. The result of this study showed the highest concentration of ΣPBDE was found in butter (890.3±309.0 pg/g wet weight), followed by egg and pork (553.0±185.0 pg/g wet weight and 545.4±181.0 pg/g wet weight). Deca-BDE was found the highest concentration among eight kinds PBDEs. The average daily intake of PBDEs for the 466 subjects was 67.95±23.01 ng/day. There was a significant difference between the daily intake of ΣPBDE in different regions of Taiwan (p<0.05). The highest daily intake of ΣPBDE was in northern Taiwan, which is also the most urbanized area.