Polychlorinated biphenyls in aquatic products from Shandong, China

PCBs were analysed in 110 samples, including marine fish, freshwater fish and marine bivalves. The levels of ∑₇PCBs in marine fish ranged from 0.18 to 5.59 ng g^-1 wet weight (ww), in freshwater fish from 0.10 to 1.19 ng g^-1 ww and in marine bivalves from 0.07 to 5.59 ng g^-1 ww. The highest level of PCBs was found in Scomberomorus niphonius. In marine fish, freshwater fish and marine bivalves, the most abundant compounds were Hexa-CBs, Tri-CBs and Hexa-CBs, respectively. PCBs were distributed in a species-specific manner in aquatic products. None of the aquatic product samples analysed exceeded the limit for ∑₇PCBs set by China or the limit established by the European Union.