Evaluation of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in fish of the Caspian Sea

Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) have toxic properties for humans. The innovation of this study was that for the first time in Iran, 12 DL-PCBs concentration in 5 fish species: Rutilus frisii kutum kanesky, Chelon saliens, Vimba vimba, Cyprinus carpio and Oncorhynchus mykiss, from 5 coastal areas of the Caspian Sea (125 samples), were investigated. DL-PCBs extraction was in accordance to USEPA method 1668 revision A and carry out by chromatography columns modified with silica gel. DL-PCBs concentration were measured by HRGC (Agilent 6890 Series, Agilent Technologies, USA) coupled with HRMS AutoSpec Ultima NT–HRGC/HRMS (Micromass, USA), equipped with the HP-5MS 30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm column (Agilent Technologies) and helium as carrier gas. The mean concentration of DL-PCBs in samples ranged 232 ± 16–1156 ± 14 pg/g fat, that was in accordance with the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and European Standards. The highest concentration was in Cyprinus carpio of Bandar Anzali, and lowest obtained in samples from Chalous. However, based on fish consuming and fish originating from the fishing area the health risk evaluation to estimate the potential consequences of chronic exposure to DL-PCBs for consumers is recommended and effective measure for health risk reduction.