Human Exposure to Dioxin-Like Compounds in Fish and Shellfish Consumed in South Korea

Abstract Dietary intake is the most important source of exposure to dioxins for the general population. This pathway contributes more than 90% of the daily intake for the general population of Korea. The objective of this study was to assess current exposure to dioxin-like compounds in fish and shellfish consumed by the general population in Korea. Residues of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like, non-, and mono-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (co-planar PCBs) were quantified in 32 fish and shellfish collected from domestic fisheries markets. The contributions of individual DL-PCB congeners to the total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) equivalents (TEQ) were greater than 50%. Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents based on the TCDD equivalency factors (TEFs) developed by the World Health Organization (TEQWHO) were compared to guidelines suggested for the protection of human health by the World Health Organization (WHO). The greatest TEQ concentration was observed in herring, followed by that in dried anchovy and Sailfin sandfish. The exposure to dioxin-like compounds from current fish consumption patterns was estimated to be 72 pg TEQWHO/day, which is equal to 1.2 pg TEQWHO/kg, bw/d, a value that is less than the current tolerable daily intake (TDI) guideline in Korea, which is 4 pg TEQWHO/kg, bw/d. The relatively great exposure was determined to be due to greater fish consumption rate in Korea, rather than greater concentrations of residues in food.