COMMISSION ON FOOD CHEMISTRY (VI.5)
Number: 650/80/94
Title: Quality Assessment of Methods for the Determination of
Toxicologically Relevant PCB Congeners in Foods
Coordinator(s): A.K.D.
Liem, G.U.M. Lindstrom and J.R. Startin (Working Group: Halogenated
Hydocarbons Environmental Contaminants)
Remarks: AOAC and EU-Measurement and Testing Programmes (formerly
BCR)
Completion Date: 1997
Objective:
Expert laboratories (10-15) will collaboratively assess the considerable
analytical problems posed by the extension of the list of PCB congeners
thought to be toxicologically relevant in food. Emphasis will be on
the quality and comparability of PCB standards and on resolving the
problems encountered in identification and quantitation during simultaneous
determination of toxicologically relevant PCBs in foods. Scientific
and industrial developments from a completely successful.
Progress:
The data derived from this project will enable laboratories worldwide
to assess their capabilities in the identification and quantitation
of PCBs in foods. Reason for initiation now (scientific or otherwise)
In the last few years, scientific knowledge on the toxicological potency
of PCB congeners has grown. Food is the main route of exposure to PCBs
but unfortunately limited data are available on their occurrence in
food. Information is needed on the extent to which certain foods contribute
to levels occurring in human tissues and fluids (e.g. breast milk).
Production of valid information of this type is dependent on the analytical
difficulties being resolved. In turn this will allow a more valid assessment
of risk from PCB exposure.
The second and last round of the experimental part of this study has
been completed and the results were discussed in August 1996 at a Working
Group meeting in Oslo. The draft meeting report was sent the following
October to study participants unable to attend the meeting.
A final report has been prepared and is available upon request at RIVM/LOC
(pb 11) att. A.K.D. Liem and R. Hoogerbrugge, P.O. Box 1, NL-3720 BA
Bilthoven, or by email, directly to <[email protected]>.
A workshop will be held in Barcelona in February 2000 to discuss the
results.
Project Completed.
Last update: 5 November 1999
