EXPOSURE TO 2,3,7,8-CHLORINE SUBSTITUTED DIOXINS, FURANS AND PLANAR PCBS FROM FOOD BY DUTCH TURKS - RELEVANCE OF MUTTON

It has been demonstrated, that emissions from incinerators can cause e levated levels of dioxins and related compounds in cow's milk fat and beef. Later on it was shown, that a local contamination of mutton from these sources was also to occur. As the consumption of mutton by the general Dutch population is negligible, that finding will not cause an y significant additional exposure. On the other hand, one can predict a potential problem for a subpopulation with a significant intake of m utton, such as Dutch inhabitants of foreign origin. To investigate tha t issue, a food consumption survey with adult Turkish men and women wa s carried out by the Agricultural University, Wageningen. At the same time the concentration of (i)-TEQ in mutton from animals raised near i ncinerators and from background area was determined by the National In stitute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven. The original data from the food consumption survey were used to calculate the intake of (i)-TEQ and (PCB)-TEQ by the Dutch Turks, applying level s of dioxins and furans, and planar PCBs in food items from a previous study with the general Dutch population. From the individual intake f igures the median intake and its 95th percentile for adult Turks was c omputed. The results showed a median daily intake of 2,3,7,8 chlorine substituted dioxins and furans of 84 pg (i)-TEQ (95 %: 171), equivalen t with 1.13 pg (i)-TEQ/kg. day (95 %: 2.32). For planar PCBs the figur es were 110 pg (PCB)-TEQ (95 %: 221), equal to 1.48 pg (PCB)-TEQ/kg. d ay (95 %: 2.99). It was concluded, that these figures are similar to t he results from the previous study with the general Dutch population. However, it was shown that there are distinct differences between the Dutch Turks and the general population for the contribution of the var ious categories of food item to the exposure. A scenario analysis show ed an exceeding of the TDI of 1 % of the adult Dutch Turks, if mutton was contaminated with 13 pg TEQ/g.fat and 5 % for mutton with 18 pg TE Q/g.fat. Levels up to 18 pg (i)-TEQ/g.fat were determined, and as back ground levels are about 2 pg (PCB)-TEQ, and as incinerators do also em it planar PCBs the total dioxins and related compounds in mutton will be higher then 20 pg TEQ. So, local contamination of mutton could have unacceptable consequences for the Dutch Turks. As a result of the con tamination of cow's milk fat near incinerators measures to reduce emis sion of (i)-TEQ are forced by law. These measures will reduce concentr ations of dioxins and related compounds in mutton at the same time. Th us, controlling major sources of exposure for the general population w ill also be effective for the exposure of Dutch Turks.