title: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish from the Sana River (Bosnia and Herzegovina): A preliminary study on the health risk in sport fishermen.
abstract: Fish is the main single source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure in men. Anecdotal reports suggest high wild fish consumption rates among sport fishermen in Sanski Most area, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Presence of PCBs in the environment in BiH was previously documented. The main objective of this work was to estimate the magnitude of PCBs exposure and assess the potential health risk in sport fishermen in Sanski Most. The fishing pattern and magnitude of fish consumption were estimated in the questionnaire survey conducted during April 2012 among members (n = 60) of the local sport fishermen association in Sanski Most. Calculated median and high-end (90th percentile) fish consumption rates were 31 g d(-1) and 126 g d(-1), respectively. The PCB concentrations (as Aroclor 1254 equivalents), determined by ELISA immunoassay in 28 fish fillets ranged from undetectable to 208 μg kg(-1). Two different exposure scenarios were used: (a) median exposure, calculated from the median fish consumption rate and median PCB concentrations, and (b) "worst case" scenario, calculated from the high-end fish consumption rate and mean PCB concentrations. The results suggest negligible lifelong cancer and non-cancer risks in case of low to moderate fish consumption rate, but possibly unacceptable risk levels in high-end consumers.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Jasmina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Djedjibegovic
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marjanovic
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burnic
authors.forename: Elma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Omeragic
authors.forename: Amila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dobraca
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caklovica
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sober
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D045483:Rivers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Aroclor 1254; ELISA; POPs; brown trout; chub; grayling