Open AccessRisk for animal and human health related to the presence of dioxins and dioxin‐like PCBs in feed and food
Author(s) -
Knutsen Helle Katrine,
Alexander Jan,
Barregård Lars,
Bignami Margherita,
Brüschweiler Beat,
Ceccatelli Sandra,
Cottrill Bruce,
Dinovi Michael,
Edler Lutz,
GraslKraupp Bettina,
Hogstrand Christer,
Nebbia Carlo Stefano,
Oswald Isabelle P,
Petersen Annette,
Rose Martin,
Roudot AlainClaude,
Schwerdtle Tanja,
Vleminckx Christiane,
Vollmer Günter,
Wallace Heather,
Fürst Peter,
Håkansson Helen,
Halldorsson Thorhallur,
Lundebye AnneKatrine,
Pohjanvirta Raimo,
Rylander Lars,
Smith Andrew,
van Loveren Henk,
WaalkensBerendsen Ine,
Zeilmaker Marco,
Binaglia Marco,
Gómez Ruiz José Ángel,
Horváth Zsuzsanna,
Christoph Eugen,
Ciccolallo Laura,
Ramos Bordajandi Luisa,
Steinkellner Hans,
Hoogenboom Laurentius Ron
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5333
Subject(s) - european commission , tolerable daily intake , reference dose , breastfeeding , environmental health , food contact materials , polychlorinated dibenzodioxins , risk assessment , medicine , zoology , food science , biology , body weight , chemistry , european union , food packaging , pediatrics , environmental chemistry , endocrinology , economic policy , computer security , computer science , business
The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and DL‐PCBs in feed and food. The data from experimental animal and epidemiological studies were reviewed and it was decided to base the human risk assessment on effects observed in humans and to use animal data as supportive evidence. The critical effect was on semen quality, following pre‐ and postnatal exposure. The critical study showed a NOAEL of 7.0 pg WHO 2005 ‐TEQ/g fat in blood sampled at age 9 years based on PCDD/F‐TEQs. No association was observed when including DL‐PCB‐TEQs. Using toxicokinetic modelling and taking into account the exposure from breastfeeding and a twofold higher intake during childhood, it was estimated that daily exposure in adolescents and adults should be below 0.25 pg TEQ/kg bw/day. The CONTAM Panel established a TWI of 2 pg TEQ/kg bw/week. With occurrence and consumption data from European countries, the mean and P95 intake of total TEQ by Adolescents, Adults, Elderly and Very Elderly varied between, respectively, 2.1 to 10.5, and 5.3 to 30.4 pg TEQ/kg bw/week, implying a considerable exceedance of the TWI. Toddlers and Other Children showed a higher exposure than older age groups, but this was accounted for when deriving the TWI. Exposure to PCDD/F‐TEQ only was on average 2.4‐ and 2.7‐fold lower for mean and P95 exposure than for total TEQ. PCDD/Fs and DL‐PCBs are transferred to milk and eggs, and accumulate in fatty tissues and liver. Transfer rates and bioconcentration factors were identified for various species. The CONTAM Panel was not able to identify reference values in most farm and companion animals with the exception of NOAELs for mink, chicken and some fish species. The estimated exposure from feed for these species does not imply a risk.