PCDD/DFs and coplanar PCBs in sediment and fish samples from the Er-Jen river in Taiwan

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DFs) and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) have been determined in sediment and fish samples from the Er-Jen river in Taiwan. Sediment samples collected near the incineration site show TEQ of PCDD/DFs ranging from 14 pg/g to 14200 pg/g and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins equivalents (TCDD-EQ) of Co-PCBs ranging from 9 pg/g to 1030 pg/g. The fish samples show TEQ of PCDD/DFs ranging from 37 pg/g to 2084 pg/g and TCDD-EQ of Co-PCBs ranging from 12 pg/g to 120 pg/g. Possible PCDD/DFs sources are discharged PCBs, open-air incineration activities, and pentachlorophenol. PCB#126 was found to degrade more readily than PCB#77. TCDD-EQ of Co-PCBs could be estimated from the total concentration of PCBs. A daily intake value of 28 pg/kg/day to 450 pg/kg/day was estimated when consuming fish caught from the Er-Jen river.