Levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and non-ortho PCBs in dietary supplement fish oil obtained in Spain

Levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and non-ortho PCBs are reported for fish oils available in Spain which are consumed by the population as a dietary supplement. Trace enrichment methodology based on the use of modified silica and activated carbon chromatography was combined wiht on-column extraction (FMS 100) to separate PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs from lipid material. The extracts were further cleaned up on disposable Florisil columns and analysed by HRGC/HRMS (PCDD/F and non-ortho PCB fractions). Mean levels found in the samples were 10.50 ppt for total PCDDs and 9.95 ppt for total PCDFs. Calculated PCDD/F I-TEQ values were found to be 2.11 ppt on a lipid weight basis. Total mean levels found for co-planar PCBs (# 77, 126 and 169) were 18.26 ppt and the calculated I-TEQ value was 0.31 ppt on a lipid weight basis.