Dioxins and PCBs in freshwater fish and sediments from Polish lakes

PCDD/F and PCB concentrations were analysed in sediments, fish muscles, and livers collected from four lakes in Poland. In general, the fish and sediments had low levels of dioxins and PCBs. The total TEQ in the sediments was 0.12-0.47 pg WHO-TEQ g(-1) dry matter (dm), the NDL-PCB content was at 0.05-0.36 ng g(-1) dm. The muscles contained PCDD/F/DL-PCBs levels of 0.03-3.19 pg WHO-TEQ g(-1) wet weight (ww) while the NDL-PCB content was 0.08-27.30 ng g(-1) ww. The livers contained 0.73-8.74 pg WHO-TEQ g(-1) ww and the NDL-PCB content was 1.52-88.84 ng g(-1) ww. The potential health risk for fish consumers was assessed using the Tolerable Weekly Intake (2 pg WHO-TEQ/kg bw). The consumption of 200 g of fish containing an average PCDD/D/DL-PCB content results in an intake of 43-455% TWI and 14-150% TWI for children and adults, respectively, depending on fish species and sampling point.