Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in meat products and estimated PAH intake by children and the general population in Estonia.
The concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and 11 other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed from 322 commercial, cured meat products and 14 home-grilled meat samples as part of the Estonian food safety monitoring programme during 2001-2005. The maximum acceptable concentration of 5 microg kg(-1) for benzo[a]pyrene was exceeded in 3.4% of samples. The highest PAH concentrations were detected in home-grilled pork samples. Using of disposable grilling unit resulted in 1.6 times higher PAH concentrations compared to the traditional wood-burning grill. The average intake of benzo[a]pyrene and sum of 12 PAHs from meat products was estimated for children (age 1-16 years) on the basis of an individual food consumption questionnaire and, for the general population, based on national food consumption data. The highest total PAH concentrations detected were 16 microg kg(-1) in smoked meat and ham, 19 microg kg(-1) in smoked sausage and 6.5 microg kg(-1) in smoked chicken samples. Since smoking and grilling are prevalent meat-cooking methods in Estonia, the impact of meat products is assessed to be significant in overall PAH intake.
Reinik
M
M
Estonian Health Protection Inspectorate, Tartu Laboratory, Tartu, Estonia. mari.reinik@tervisekaitse.ee
Tamme
T
T
Roasto
M
M
Juhkam
K
K
Tenno
T
T
Kiis
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D002645:Chickens; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003296:Cooking / Q000379:methods; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D004957:Estonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008461:Meat Products / Q000032:analysis*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D013552:Swine
D002273:Carcinogens; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene