Levels of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Commercial Food in Siena Province (Tuscany, Italy)

Abstract

This study reports on the presence and levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food items collected during the period 2004-2010 in commercial food shops in Siena (Southern Tuscany, Central Italy), in order to evaluate risk to humans due to food consumption. We have considered the following eight PBDE congeners to be of primary interest: BDE28, BDE47, BDE99, BDE100, BDE153, BDE154, BDE183 and BDE209. The overall results clearly show a strong difference in concentration of PBDEs between seafood and food from the terrestrial trophic web. PBDE concentrations in commercial food from terrestrial origin vary from an average of 156 pg g -1 fat in chicken breast (6 pg g -1 fresh weight) to an average of 404 pg g -1 fat in butter (125 pg g -1 f.w.). In seafood, average values are comprised between 174 pg g -1 f.w. in hake to 692 pg g -1 f.w. in swordfish. In several samples of swordfish PBDE values are higher than 1 ng g -1 f.w. If we consider PBDE congeners individually, BDE47 is the predominant one in seafood, with percentages above 50% in all species. In commercial food of terrestrial origin, BDE47 is predominant in beef, pork, bacon, butter and sausage (27%-35%), followed by BDE209 (25%-28%). In chicken breast, eggs and cow's milk, BDE209 is predominant (28%-32%) followed by BDE47 (25%-30%). The level of PBDEs found in bluefin tuna and swordfish, considering their importance in the human diet, suggests the need for particular care in our food choices.