Volatile halocarbons in butter: elevated tetrachloroethylene levels in samples obtained in close proximity to dry-cleaning establishments
In recent years materials not directly associated with food production, such as polychlorinated and brominated biphenyls, have been found in foods. According to the criteria to evaluate the likelihood for a chemical to contaminate food, the volatile halocarbons (VHCs) were selected as target compounds in an examination for potential contaminants in selected foods. The technique of multiple headspace extraction (MHE) was used in this study to minimize sample handling, and thereby reduce the potential for laboratory contamination and maximize throughput. Recently this laboratory reported findings of several VHCs in margarine, including PCE in four samples at levels above the usual background findings. Those samples had been obtained from a food store located immediately next to a dry-cleaning establishment. Follow-up investigation was conducted to determine the frequency of occurrence and levels of PCE that may be present in fatty foods purchased from stores located both near and distant from dry cleaners. Butter was chosen as a model food because it is a highly uniform product of very high fat content, which would be expected to act as a good absorber of the lipophilic VHCs. This paper presents results of these analyses and correlations between level of VHCs in butter and the proximity to dry cleaners of the food store where the butter was purchased.
- Research Organization:
- Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5987738
- Journal Information:
- Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Vol. 41:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BUTTER
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
AIR POLLUTION
CLEANING
CONTAMINATION
ELECTRON-CAPTURE DETECTORS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
NICKEL 63
SHOPPING CENTERS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BUILDINGS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
FOOD
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MILK PRODUCTS
NICKEL ISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POPULATIONS
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOMETRIC GAGES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology