Concentration of TCDD (tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) in fish and the potential for human exposure

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Environment International; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(90)90155-Y· OSTI ID:6404680

Travis, C C; Hattemer-Frey, H A ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN (USA)

Levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) measured in fish from U.S. lakes and rivers confirm that TCDD is bioaccumulating in fish, and that low-level contamination of fish is widespread. As a result, many state and federal agencies have issued guidelines restricting or banning the consumption of TCDD-contaminated fish. This paper evaluates and interprets data on TCDD levels in fish collected as part of the EPA's National Dioxin Study and estimates the extent of human exposure due to ingestion of TCDD-contaminated fish. Results indicate that mean TCDD concentrations in whole fish and fish fillets from urban areas are low (0.4 and 0.3 pg/g, respectively) and that consumption of TCDD-contaminated fish is not a major pathway of human exposure, accounting for only 5% to 12.5% of total daily intake of TCDD. Assuming that the mean concentration of TCDD in whole fish is 0.4 pg/g, the steady-state bioconcentration factor for TCDD in fish is estimated to be approximately 140,000. The maximum concentration in fish fillets that does not pose an unacceptable health risk to average U.S. fish consumers is 81 pg/g.

• OSTI ID: 6404680
• Journal Information: Environment International; (USA), Vol. 16:2; ISSN 0160-4120
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DIOXIN
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
FISHES
CONTAMINATION
DOSES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FOOD CHAINS
GREAT LAKES
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INGESTION
LAKES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RIVERS
URBAN AREAS
US EPA
USA
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
HAZARDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INTAKE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POPULATIONS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
US ORGANIZATIONS
VERTEBRATES
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)