Empirical Relationship between Precision and Ultra-Trace Concentrations of Pcdd/Fs and Dioxin-Like Pcbs in Biological Matrices

in Chemosphere (2008), 71(2), 379-87

Dioxin analysis in food and feed can be characterized as an analytical application where very high accuracy is required at very low levels of contamination. Gas chromatography (GC) in combination with (13 ... [more ▼]

Dioxin analysis in food and feed can be characterized as an analytical application where very high accuracy is required at very low levels of contamination. Gas chromatography (GC) in combination with (13)C-label isotope dilution (ID) high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is the reference congener-specific technique characterized by pronounced selectivity, precision and trueness at parts-per-trillion (ppt) and sub-parts-per-trillion (sub-ppt) levels. The quality of the analytical data produced routinely by a laboratory should be adequate for its intended purpose, i.e., one will seek a compromise between the cost and time needed and the consequences of incorrect decisions due to erroneous results. The requirements for reproducibility are usually dependent on the analyte concentrations and have been expressed in various empirical functions. While Horwitz or modified functions are widely useful for many purposes, it would be difficult to expect these functions to cover every analytical problem. This study reports on precision characteristics achieved by the GC-ID-HRMS reference method for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in food and feed in two interlaboratory method-performance studies among expert laboratories with long-standing experience in this field. Striking linear functions in log scale between reproducibility standard deviation and congener's level over a concentration range of 10(-8)-10(-14)g per g fresh weight are observed. The data fit very well to a Horwitz-type function of the form s(R)=0.153c(0.904), where s(R) and c are dimensionless mass ratios expressed in pgg(-1) on fresh weight, regardless of the nature of the toxic congeners, food and feed matrices, or sample preparation methods. We demonstrate that the proposed function is suitable for use as a fitness-for-purpose criterion for proficiency assessment in interlaboratory comparisons on dioxins and related compounds in food. [less ▲]

Serum dioxin and PCB levels among PCB waste processing plant workers

in Organohalogen Compounds (2008)

A clinical investigation and a biological monitoring were carried out to evaluate the occupational exposure of workers in contact with pyralen in a PCB-transformer and capacitor decontamination plant in ... [more ▼]

A clinical investigation and a biological monitoring were carried out to evaluate the occupational exposure of workers in contact with pyralen in a PCB-transformer and capacitor decontamination plant in France. The aim of this study was to assess the body burden of polychlorinated dibenzo-p- dioxin (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like (DL) PCBs and marker PCBs for those workers. We examined 8 representative workers (34-44 years old). The subjects of this study worked from 5 years to 19 years at the plant. All workers reported daily multiple contacts with various metal and wood parts of dismantled transformers during working hours. On a yearly basis, the exposed subjects were examined by the occupational health physician for a check-up. Basic parameters such as liver function and lipid statement were performed. [less ▲]

Levels of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in Belgian river eel specimen

in Organohalogen Compounds (2008), 70

Analytical Measurement and Levelsof Dioxins and PCBs in Biological Samples

in Faye, Bernard; Sinyavskiy, Youri (Eds.) Impact of Pollution on Animal Products (2008)

Dioxin-like compounds in porpoises and seals from the southern North Sea: relationship with biological and ecological factors

in Organohalogen Compounds (2008), 70

The North Sea represents a major ecosystem for the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) occurs more occasionally in the southern ... [more ▼]

The North Sea represents a major ecosystem for the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) occurs more occasionally in the southern part of the North Sea. Their population over this last decade has experienced major fluctuations likely linked to prey availability and seal epizootics. Despite being banned more than 30 years ago, levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in marine mammals are still of concern due to historical contamination of the North Sea. [less ▲]

INTAKE OF DIOXINS AND DIOXIN-LIKE PCBs CONSUMING HOME PRODUCED VERSUS COMMERCIAL EGGS

in Organohalogen Compounds (2008)

Emerging hyphenated and comprehensive multi-dimensional techniques for the measurement of persistant organic pollutants (POPs)

Conference (2007, October)

Exposure factors influencing serum dioxin concentrations in the French dioxin and incinerators study

in Organohalogen Compounds (2007), 69

Worldwilde interlaboratory study on PCDDs, PCDFs, dioxin-like PCBs marker PCBs and PBDEs in human plasma

in Organohalogen Compounds (2007), 69

Dealing with the non-detected and non-quantified data. The example of the serum dioxin data in the French dioxin and incinerators study

in Organohalogen Compounds (2007), 69