An attempt to evaluate the risk of the present human exposure to PCDD/F, PCB, PBDE and HBCDD in Europe

Weiss, J; Bergman, Å

HERO ID

4151952

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2006

Language

English

HERO ID 4151952
In Press No
Year 2006
Title An attempt to evaluate the risk of the present human exposure to PCDD/F, PCB, PBDE and HBCDD in Europe
Authors Weiss, J; Bergman, Å
Journal Organohalogen Compounds
Volume 68
Page Numbers 822–825
Abstract PCDD/Fs and PCBs have earlier been risk assessed and tolerable limit values were established by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) in 2001. The tolerable weekly intake (TWI) was set to 14 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw. The last years estimated average dietary intake by the European population of PCDD/Fs and non-ortho PCBs is 1-3 pg TEQ/kg bw and day, which indicates that a large group of people exceeds the TWI. It has been estimated that about 1/10 of the general population, and in addition newborns and some fish consumers exceed the SCF TWI. United Kingdom followed up a risk assessment of the BDE-209 from 2002 and in May 2004 a final draft was published, but still the human health risk assessment part is missing. The Swedish Chemical Inspectorate has just finished their risk assessment of HBCDD as rapporteur to EU. The human health risk characterisation urged for more information before decisions regarding management can be made. Studies have shown that the placenta constitute an insufficient barrier for mother-foetus transfer of several POPs, such as PCB and PCB metabolites, PBDEs (including DecaBDE) and HBCDD. Exposure to POPs is above all an issue considering foetuses, infants and young children, which have a high exposure and are in a particular susceptible stage of life. Significant intake of brominated flame retardants via dust have been reported in toddlers, which means that the high exposure continues up to adulthood. It is not yet clear how this may affects the individual development. The objectives of this paper are to report a summary of present human exposure levels of a few POPs reported in Europe, and to put these levels into a risk assessment perspective. An attempt to assess risk to newborns is presented.
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Language Text English
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