A comparison of dioxins, dibenzofurans and coplanar PCBs in uncooked and broiled ground beef, catfish and bacon.
The primary source of dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar PCBs for the general population is food, especially meat, fish, and dairy products. However, most data on the levels of these chemicals is from food in the raw or uncooked state. We report here the effect of one type of cooking (broiling) on the levels of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs in ground beef (hamburger), bacon and catfish. Samples of hamburger, bacon, and catfish were broiled and compared to uncooked samples in order to measure changes in the amounts of dioxins in cooked food. The total amount of PCDD, PCDF, and coplanar PCB TEQ decreased by approximately 50% on average for each portion as a result of broiling the hamburger, bacon and catfish specimens. The mean concentration (pg TEQ/kg, wet weight) of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs, however, remained the same in the hamburger, increased by 83% in the bacon, and decreased by 34% in the catfish. On average, the total measured concentration (pg/kg) of the congeners of PCDDs, PCDFs, and coplanar PCBs increased 14% in the hamburger, increased 29% in the bacon, and decreased 33% in the catfish.
Schecter
A
A
Department of Preventive Medicine, SUNY Health Science Center, Binghamton 13903, USA.
Dellarco
M
M
Päpke
O
O
Olson
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002397:Catfishes; D003296:Cooking; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D008461:Meat Products; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D001572:Benzofurans; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls