Small-scale survey on the contamination status of butyltin compounds in seafoods collected from seven Chinese cities

Tributyltin (TBT) and its degradation products, dibutyltin (DBT) and monobu tyltin (MBT), in the commercial sea products collected from seven Chinese c ities were measured to evaluate the extent of contamination and the potenti al adverse effect on health. Universal existence of butyltins was found in these samples, and the concentrations of TBT ranged from <6.9 to 17175 ng o f Sn g(-1) of wet weight. The accumulation ratios of the pollutant in these organisms were as high as 10(3) or more compared with the previously repor ted data in corresponding water. The existing different accumulation capabi lities of pollutants among the various seafood species were studied. It was observed that the butyltin compounds were comparatively stable during cook ing or processing procedures in the manner of usual Chinese cooking way. Th e occurrence of butyltin compounds in sea products indicated a potential da nger for the health of people who consumed seafood in these areas.