Halogenated aromatic pollutants in routine animal-derived food of South China: Occurrence, sources, and dietary intake risks

Halogenated aromatic pollutants (HAPs) including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PBDD/Fs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) exhibit diverse toxicities and bio-accumulation in animals, thereby imposing risks on human via animal-derived food (ADF) consumption. Here we examined these HAPs in routine ADFs from South China and observed that PBDEs and PCBs showed statistically higher concentrations than PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs. PCDD/Fs and PCBs in these ADFs were mainly from the polluted feed and habitat of animals, except PCDD/Fs in egg, which additionally underwent selective biotransformation/progeny transfer after the maternal intake of PCDD/F-polluted stuff. PBDEs and PBDD/Fs were mostly derived from the extensive use of deca-BDE and their polluted environments. Significant interspecific differences were mainly observed for DL-PCBs and partly for PBDD/Fs and PBDEs, which might be caused by their distinct transferability/biodegradability in animals and the different living habit and habitat of animals. The dietary intake doses (DIDs) of these HAPs via ADF consumption were all highest for toddlers, then teenagers and adults. Milk, egg, and fish contributed most to the DIDs and risks for toddlers and teenagers, which results of several cities exceeded the recommended thresholds and illustrated noteworthy risks. Pork, fish, and egg were the top three risk contributors for adults, which carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were both acceptable. Notably, PBDD/Fs showed the lowest concentrations but highest contributions to the total risks of these HAPs, thereby meriting continuous attention.