In this paper we describe the validation and utilization of the Hybrizyme(T
M) DELFIA(R) immunoassay for detecting polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in
animal fat. The immunoassay incorporates a rapid sample processing protocol
that has been optimized to detect concentrations of PCBs in animal fat at
or above 200 ng/g. The limit of detection of the assay was less than 50 ng/
g. When the action level for the DELFIA assay was set at 100 ng/g to detect
samples having 200 ng/g or more PCBs, the false negative rate was estimate
d at 0.2%. The false positive rate depends on the concentration of PCBs in
the sample population and was estimated at 4% and 7% for samples having 10
ng/g and 20 ng/g PCBs, respectively. By utilizing the DELFIA assay system t
o select for positive samples and GC/MS analysis for confirmation analysis,
an accurate and cost-effective programme has been established for the high
throughput detection of PCBs in animal products.