Risk assessment of dietary exposure to aluminium in the Chinese population

In order to address the issue of excessive intake of aluminium (Al) from Al-containing food additives in the Chinese diet, this study conducted a dietary exposure assessment of Al in the general population based on the national surveillance data of Al content in foods and national food consumption data. It was found that the mean dietary exposure of the whole Chinese population to Al from Al-containing food additives was 1.795 mg kg^?1 bw week^?1, not exceeding the PTWI, while high dietary exposures (e.g., 97.5^th percentile) to Al were 7.660 and 2.103–2.903 mg kg^?1 bw week^?1 for children, respectively, both exceeding the PTWI. It was found that the dietary exposure to Al for 32.5% of the total Chinese population and 42.6% of children aged 4–6 years exceeded the PTWI. Wheat flour and wheat-based products are the main source of dietary A l exposure (85% of the total intake); and puffed foods are the major source of Al intake for children. These findings suggested that consumption of Al-containing food additives could be a health concern for consumers with high food consumption (97.5^th percentile) and children under the age of 14 years.     

陕西省居民膳食中铝暴露风险评估

目的了解陕西省市售食品中铝污染状况,评估陕西省居民膳食中铝摄入水平及其潜在的健康风险。方法 2013—2015年在陕西省10个地市随机采集8类食品共计666份,按照食品中铝测定的标准操作程序进行检测,结合陕西省开展的居民膳食营养状况调查中各类食物的消费量数据,采用点评估方法,对陕西省不同性别-年龄组人群膳食中铝摄入水平及其潜在的风险进行评估。结果陕西省居民全人群膳食中铝平均每日摄入量为0.154 9 mg/kg BW,不同性别-年龄组人群以18~59岁女性摄入量最高,为0.178 5 mg/kg BW。当食物中铝含量取P97.5数值时,膳食中铝摄入量最高的人群是2~7岁儿童。各性别-年龄组人群膳食中铝平均暴露量(铝含量数据采用平均值)安全限值(MOS值)均1,偏高暴露量(铝含量数据采用P97.5数值)MOS值均1。2~7岁和8~12岁儿童膳食中铝摄入贡献率较高的食品是油炸食品和焙烤食品,其他组人群膳食中铝摄入贡献率前3位的食品均是油炸食品、凉皮和淀粉制品。结论陕西省居民不同性别-年龄组人群膳食中铝偏高暴露量已超过最新的健康指导值。女性和儿童是暴露量较高的人群,油炸食品是不同性别-年龄组人群膳食中铝摄入的最主要来源。     

Long-term dietary exposure to lead of the population of Jiangsu Province, China

Deterministic and probabilistic estimates of the chronic exposure to lead (Pb) for the inhabitants in Jiangsu Province, China, were performed. Pb contamination data were obtained from the national food contamination monitoring programme during 2001-2006 and 2600 samples from 38 commodities in Jiangsu were included. Food consumption data were from the national diet and nutrition survey conducted in 2002, including 3879 subjects aged 2-80 years and 185 children aged 2-6 years in Jiangsu. Contributions from 38 commodities were included in the calculations. Using the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWI) divided into daily intakes (PTWI(d)) of 3.57 microg kg(-1) bw day(-1) in the risk assessment, exposures calculated by the deterministic approach for children and the general population were 77% and 43% of the PTWI(d), respectively, which were nearly similar to the mean intake calculation in the probabilistic approach. The percentage of people whose exposure level exceeded the PTWI(d) for children, the general population, urban population and rural population were 16%, 0.4%, 0.1%, and 0.5%, respectively. The 50th, 95th and 99th percentiles of Pb exposure for children were 2.6, 4.4 and 5.5 microg kg(-1) bw day(-1), respectively. Rice followed by wheat flour and bean products contributed most to the total Pb intake for both children and the general population. This study indicated that the Pb dietary exposure in Jiangsu Province, especially for children, would be a public health concern.     

Concentration of morpholine residues in major fruits and juices and its dietary exposure in China

Morpholine is a common chemical used as emulsifier in the preparation of wax coatings for some fruit to help them remain fresh and protect against insects and fungal contamination. It has been reported that morpholine has acute toxic effects on rodents. In the present study, morpholine concentrations were analysed in fruits (citrus fruits, apples, strawberries and grapes) and juices (apple juice and orange juice) in order to determine dietary exposure among the Chinese population. A total of 732 fruit and juice samples were collected during 2015–2016, which covered major foods in China. Fruit and juice consumption data were taken from China National Nutrient and Health Survey (2002) and include data from 16,407 fruit or juice consumers. It was found that mean dietary exposure to morpholine residues from fruits and/or juices for general Chinese consumers and children 2–6 years old were 0.42 and 1.24 µg/kg bw/day, respectively. The 97.5% intake in general Chinese consumers and children 2–6 years old were 2.25 and 6.90 µg/kg bw/day, respectively. The primary food sources of the morpholine dietary intake of general Chinese consumers were citrus fruits (57.4%) and apples (40.8%). These findings suggested that dietary exposure to morpholine in the Chinese population was lower than the acceptable daily intake of morpholine, and there are no health concerns.     

广东省居民面制食品中铝的暴露评估研究

目的：了解广东省面制食品中铝污染的状况,并对居民来源于面制食品的铝摄入状况进行暴露评估。方法：2009年从广东省21个地市的超市、食杂店、集贸市场等随机采集面包、馒头、包子以及油饼油条类食品共840份,按照国家标准GB/T5009.182—2003《面制食品中铝的测定》方法测定其中的铝含量。将2002年广东省居民膳食营养与健康状况监测的调查人群按照不同的年龄、性别分成10组,分别计算面制食品消费量平均值和第97.5百分位数（P97.5）情况下各组人群铝的摄入情况。结果：面制食品中铝平均含量为210.30mg/kg,调查人群来自面制食品的平均铝摄入量0.10mg/（d.bw）,为每日可耐受摄入量（Acceptable Daily Intake,ADI）的0.73倍,从总体上看,2002年广东省营养与健康状况监测调查人群来源于面制食品的铝摄入水平是安全的。面制食品消费量为第97.5百分位数的情况下,调查人群总的铝摄入量为0.61mg/（d.bw）,为ADI的4.35倍,各组的铝摄入量平均值和第97.5百分位数铝摄入量分别为ADI的0.61—2.49倍、3.05—14.78倍,超出ADI倍数最高者为组1的2—7岁少年儿童。结论：需要关注广东省居民膳食铝食用安全情况,尤其是对生长发育阶段的少年儿童。在此基础上,尚需要纳入其它含铝高的食物调研,进行更加精细和全面的膳食铝健康危害风险评估。     

Aluminium content of foods originating from aluminium-containing food additives

Aluminium (Al) levels of 90 food samples were investigated. Nineteen samples contained Al levels exceeding the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for young children [body weight (bw): 16 kg] when consuming two servings/week. These samples were purchased multiple times at specific intervals and were evaluated for Al levels. Al was detected in 27 of the 90 samples at levels ranging from 0.01 (limit of quantitation) to 1.06 mg/g. Of these, the Al intake levels in two samples (cookie and scone mix, 1.3 and 2 mg/kg bw/week, respectively) exceeded the TWI as established by European Food Safety Authority, although the level in the scone mix was equivalent to the provisional TWI (PTWI) as established by Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives. The Al levels markedly decreased in 14 of the 19 samples with initially high Al levels. These results indicated reductions in the Al levels to below the PTWI limits in all but two previously identified food samples.     

Estimation of methylmercury intake from the 2007 Chinese Total Diet Study

Methylmercury intake for adult males of twelve provinces in China was estimated by means of the 2007 Chinese Total Diet Study. Methylmercury levels were measured in twelve food groups of each province of four regions and was only found in the aquatic food groups. The range for methylmercury contents of aquatic foods was 3.29–31.60?µg?kg^?1, being 50–87% of total mercury. Methylmercury intakes from aquatic foods for adult males of twelve provinces ranged from 0.003 to 0.138?µg?kg^?1?bw?week^?1 with average of 0.041?µg?kg^?1?bw?week^?1, which were estimated according to methylmercury contents and corresponding aquatic food consumption. Methylmercury intakes for the Chinese population were far below the corresponding provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), which was established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Consequently, there was little health risk from methylmercury exposure for the average Chinese population.     

Dietary exposure to aluminium from wheat flour and puffed products of residents in Shanghai,China

A dietary survey of 3431 residents was conducted by a 24-h dietary recall method in Shanghai, China, quarterly from September 2013 to September 2014. A total of 400 food samples were tested for aluminium concentration, including wheat flour and puffed products from 2011 to 2013. Probabilistic analysis was used to estimate the dietary exposure to aluminium from wheat and puffed products. The means of dietary aluminium exposure for children (2–6 years old), juveniles (7–17 years old), adults (18–65 years old) and seniors (over 65 years old) were 1.88, 0.94, 0.44 and 0.42 mg kg^?1 body weight (bw) week^?1 respectively, with a population average of 0.51 mg kg^?1 bw week^?1. The proportions of those who had aluminium exposure from wheat and puffed products lower than the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) were 77%, 90%, 97%, and 97% respectively from children to seniors. We estimated that the proportions of people at risk would decrease by 13%, 6%, 2% and 2% respectively under the new China National Standards – GB 2760–2014 National Food Safety for Standards for using food additives. The results indicated that aluminium from wheat flour and puffed products is unlikely to cause adverse health effects in the general population in Shanghai; however, children were at a higher risk of excess aluminium exposure. Significant improvements in reducing the dietary exposure to aluminium are expected in the population, especially for children after the implementation of GB 2760–2014.     

内蒙古自治区居民膳食中铝暴露风险评估

目的 了解内蒙古自治区主要食品中铝的污染现状,对当地居民膳食中铝暴露风险进行评估。方法 对2010—2018年内蒙古自治区食品安全风险监测中主要含铝添加剂食品的铝残留量进行分析,结合2012年内蒙古自治区居民食物消费量数据,按照性别-年龄组计算内蒙古自治区居民膳食中铝摄入量并评估其健康风险。结果 本次评估主要的含铝添加剂食品9类共1 083份,其中铝的检出率为69.44%(752/1 083),铝残留量均值为142.81 mg/kg,含量范围为2.50～2 950.00 mg/kg;全人群膳食中铝每周平均摄入量为0.692 mg/kg BW,低于食品添加剂联合专家委员会(JECFA)制定的每周可耐受摄入量(PTWI,2 mg/kg BW),高食物消费量人群膳食中铝每周摄入量为4.868 mg/kg BW,是PTWI的2.43倍;不同性别-年龄组人群膳食中铝每周平均摄入量均未超过PTWI,但各性别-年龄组人群的平均铝摄入量随年龄增加有降低的趋势。结论 粉条、油条中含铝添加剂超标现象严重,膨化食品、发酵面制品中存在含铝添加剂超范围使用现象。各性别-年龄组高消费量人群铝的暴露风险较大,相关部门需加强含铝添加剂超范围、超标使用的监管力度。     

Probabilistic acute dietary exposure assessment of the Chinese population to cypermethrin residues

A probabilistic estimation of dietary exposure to cypermethrin residues for the Chinese population was performed. Cypermethrin residue data were obtained from the national food contamination monitoring program for 2001–2006, encompassing 14,096 samples from 36 commodities with a detection rate of 10.4%. Food consumption data were gathered from the national nutrition and health survey conducted in 2002, comprising 65,915 consumers aged 2–100 years and 3701 children of 2–6 years old. The whole country was roughly divided into six regions and the ranges of the median and of P99.9 exposure estimated for these regions were 0.018–0.026 and 3.131–7.095?µg?kg^?1?bw?day^?1, respectively. Pak-choi and Chinese cabbage contributed 33.9 and 13.2%, respectively, to the cypermethrin intake for the general population, while pak-choi and citrus covered 30.7 and 22.5% of the total intake for children, respectively. The exposure of the rural population was higher than urban populations. Rural areas mainly located in the plains of central China had among the highest exposure of the six regions, accounting for 17.7% of the ARfD at P99.9, while the 99.99th percentile of exposure for children, especially rural children, far exceeded the ARfD, which is a cause for concern.     

Dietary intake assessment of caramel colours and their processing by-products 4-methylimidazole and 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxy-butylimidazole for the Chinese population

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to assess the dietary intake of caramel colours and their by-products 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) and 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI) for the Chinese population. Based on the typical and maximum reported use levels of caramel colours in 15 food categories, the dietary intakes of combined and single-class caramel colours of Classes I, III and IV were estimated with the food consumption data from the China National Nutrient and Health Survey. Using the mean values of 4-MEI and THI contents in Class III and Class IV Caramel colour samples, the exposures to 4-MEI and THI from dietary caramel colours were derived. The results showed that the combined and individual average dietary caramel colour intakes for the Chinese population of different age groups were estimated to be 232–60.3 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for combined caramels, 5.9–29.2 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for Class I, 7.7–29.6 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for Class III, 21.2–54.3 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for Class IV, which were far below the group acceptable daily intake (ADI) and respective ADIs. The combined intake of 4-MEI from Class III and IV caramel colours was estimated to be 3.8–5.2 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1 on average, and 12.9–27.1 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1 at 95th-97.5th percentile for the general population. The anticipated exposure to THI from Class III caramel colours was estimated to be 0.1–0.3 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1 on average and 0.5–1.7 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1 at 95th–97.5th percentile for the general population. The dietary caramel colours intakes and the exposures to 4-MEI and THI from dietary caramel colour for the Chinese population were considered to be of low health concern based on the present toxicological data. Soy sauce, vinegar and compound seasonings were found to be the main contributors to the dietary intake of caramel colours.     

武汉市面制食品中铝污染现状及膳食暴露评估

目的 调查武汉市面制品中铝污染现状, 并评估武汉居民的铝暴露情况。方法 根据随机抽样法采集武汉市面制食品共307件, 根据国家标准方法检测其中铝的含量, 并结合2002年中国居民膳食消费量调查结果, 评估居民面制食品中铝的暴露量。结果 307件面制食品中铝含量均值为235.4 mg/kg, 总检出率为55.7%, 总超标率为44.6%, 5类样品中铝含量存在显著性差异; 武汉市面制食品中铝的平均膳食暴露量为 3.63 mg/(kg?bw), 面制食品铝暴露量的P90值为11.5 mg/(kg?bw), 均高于联合国粮农组织/世界卫生组织食品添加剂联合专家委员会(Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, JECFA)制定的铝每周耐受摄入量(provisional tolerated weekly intake, PTWI)。结论 武汉市面制食品中铝暴露量存在安全隐患, 相关部门需要加大对该类食物中含铝添加剂滥用行为的监管力度。     

饼干中苯甲酸及其钠盐含量分析及其膳食暴露评估

对市场中210个饼干样品进行苯甲酸及其钠盐含量用HPLC方法进行测定,并对检测数据采用膳食暴露评估方法,评估城市居民的膳食风险。结果显示,婴儿(6～12个月)膳食暴露量为12.25～31.62μg/kg bw·d,其97.5/99百分位值的膳食暴露量为73.99～195.62μg/kg bw·d,建议婴儿(6～12个月)少量食用或食用不含苯甲酸的婴儿饼干。对于1～3岁的幼儿其膳食暴露量为10.25～13.25μg/kg bw·d,在97.5/99百分位值的膳食暴露量为105.24～139.10μg/kg bw·d,食用此类食品的风险是可以接受的。对于3岁以上人群食用此类食品的风险比1～3岁幼儿更小,风险程度更低。另外,饼干中威化和酥性类饼干中苯甲酸的残留水平相对于其他类饼干含量略高,而发酵和韧性类的饼干中苯甲酸的含量相稍低;同时显示江苏产的产品质量相对较好。     

中国人群黄曲霉毒素膳食暴露量评估

目的评估中国人群黄曲霉毒素的膳食暴露量，分析主要贡献食品及患肝癌的危险。方法通过食品中黄曲霉毒素的污染水平和人群食物摄入量计算人群黄曲霉毒素的膳食暴露量。结果我国成人、2～6岁儿童、城市人群、农村人群的平均黄曲霉毒素膳食暴露量分别为665．43、415．39、487，64、749．14ng／（人·d），这些人群高消费者（97．5百分位）的黄曲霉毒素膳食暴露量分别为24787．20、16544．40、17358，59、29370．42ng／（人·d）。玉米和大米是我国人群黄曲霉毒素膳食暴露的主要贡献食品。农村人群由于黄曲霉毒素膳食暴露患肝癌的危险高于城市人群。结论农村人群和2～6岁儿童、玉米和大米在控制我国人群黄曲霉毒素膳食暴露量、降低肝癌患病率中是不可忽视的重点人群和重点食品。     

成都市中小学生膳食甜蜜素暴露现状评估

目的评估成都市中小学生膳食中甜蜜素暴露水平及对青少年健康状况的潜在风险。方法根据GB2760-2014中允许使用甜蜜素的食品及2015～2017四川省食品检测实测甜蜜素数据,结合成都市中小学生食品消费量数据,采用简单分布模型法,对目标人群甜蜜素的膳食暴露量进行估算,并与欧盟食品科学委员会(Scientific Committee on Food,SCF)制定的甜蜜素每日允许摄入量(acceptable daily intake,ADI)值进行比较。结果使用甜蜜素含量均值进行个体评估时,最大个体暴露量为4.62 mg/kg·bw,低于SCF制定的ADI值(7 mg/kg·bw),使用甜蜜素含量P97.5评估超过ADI的个体比例为9.9%。对调查人群全体进行甜蜜素含量均值及P90评估均低于ADI值,P97.5含量暴露值占ADI比例为243.6%。在甜蜜素含量P97.5高暴露量情况下,小学生暴露量高于初中生。甜蜜素含量P97.5高暴露量情况下,男生暴露量略高于女生。甜蜜素暴露的贡献率最高的食品为熟制坚果与籽类(27.98%)。结论在日常生活中,家长或者学生自身应多关注科学饮食,避免偏食带来健康风险。     

Dietary exposure of Hong Kong secondary school students to total mercury and methylmercury from fish intake

Fish is the main source of dietary exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), which is a public health concern owing to its potential neurotoxicity. To evaluate the public health risk, this study estimated the total mercury (tHg) and MeHg exposure from fish intake in Hong Kong secondary school students. Median tHg and MeHg concentrations of 280 samples purchased from different commercial outlets (covering 89 species of whole fish and three types of canned tuna), together with the local food consumption data of secondary school students obtained by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire in 2000, were used to estimate dietary exposure from fish intake for the average and high consumer (95th percentile exposure). For tHg, the median concentration was 63 µg kg^–1 (range 3–1370 µg kg^–1) and estimated exposures ranged 0.5–0.6 µg kg^–1 body weight (bw) week^–1 for an average consumer and 1.6–1.9 µg kg^–1 bw week^–1 for a high consumer. For MeHg, median concentration was 48 µg kg^–1 (range 3–1010 µg kg^–1) and estimated dietary exposures were 0.4–0.5 µg kg^–1 bw week^–1 for an average consumer and 1.2–1.4 µg kg^–1 bw week^–1 for a high consumer. These values are below the respective provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) established by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The health risk is greater for high consumers since MeHg exposures may approach or exceed the PTWI when other dietary sources are taken into account.     

A Preliminary Investigation of Naturally Occurring Aluminum in Grains,Vegetables, and Fruits from Some Areas of China and Dietary Intake Assessment

An investigation of the naturally occurring aluminum contents in grains, fruits and vegetables locally planted in some areas of China was conducted, and the aluminum dietary intake from the investigated food was estimated. A total of 2,469 samples were collected during 2013 to 2014 and tested for aluminum content using ICP‐MS method. The results showed that although 77.6% of the samples contained aluminum less than 5 mg/kg, significant variations of aluminum contents were observed in different food groups. Generally, the aluminum contents were found to be relatively high in dried grains and fresh vegetables, and low in fresh fruits. The mean value of aluminum contents in grains was 6.3 mg/kg, with wheat being the highest, followed by soybean and corn. The fresh vegetables had an average aluminum content of 4.7 mg/kg, with leafy vegetables being the highest, followed by bulb and stem vegetables. Most varieties of fresh fruits were low in aluminum, with the mean of 1.3 mg/kg. Based on the food consumption data from the China National Nutrient and Health Survey, the average weekly dietary intake of naturally occurring aluminum from the investigated foods was estimated to be 0.62 mg/kg bw for the general population and 0.55 to 1.00 mg/kg bw for different age groups. Grains and vegetables were the main contributors to the overall intake. Evaluated against the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 2 mg/kg bw, the dietary naturally occurring aluminum intake from the investigated foods was considered to be no safety concern.     

Estimation of exposure to food-packaging materials. 2: patterns of intakes of packaged foods in Irish children aged 5-12 years.

In the European Union (EU), many assumptions are employed to calculate the intake of migrating chemicals from food packaging. However, very little is known about the actual intake of packaged food, the type of this food and the type of packaging used for this food. The objective of the current study was to examine intakes of packaged food in children aged 5-12 years to provide information on the types of food that are packaged and the type of packaging used. To do this, a food-consumption database, which also recorded information on packaging, was merged with a packaging database, which provided information on the contact layers of packaging. Foods were classified into EU Food categories according to European Council Directive EC 85/575/EEC (European Council 1985), which determined their food type (i.e. aqueous, acidic, alcoholic and fatty). The mean daily intake of all packaged food was 1195 g day-1 with an upper intake of 1959 g day-1 (97.5th percentile); the intake of food packaged in plastic was 993 g day-1 with an upper percentile of 1692 g day-1 (97.5th percentile). The mean daily intake of fat from all packaged food was 62 g day-1, with an upper intake of 100 g day-1 (97.5th percentile). When this was investigated further, it was found that the mean fat intake from packaged 'fatty' foods only was 32 g day-1, with an upper intake of 61 g day-1 (97.5th percentile). The food that contributed most to fat intake was milk. As many food chemical intake assessments are moving towards probabilistic methods, probabilities of a food being packaged and the probability of the type of packaging used were determined. The probability of food being packaged was 0.88. Some foods not 100% packaged included fruit, vegetables, liquid beverages non-alcoholic (includes water) and bread. Probabilities were also derived for the packaging types used for food. It can be concluded that not all the individual assumptions used in the EU exposure assessment are conservative, but in combination they are conservative.     

我国成人饮白酒者抗雄激素作用样邻苯二甲酸酯类物质的累积风险评估

目的评估中国居民成人饮白酒者(以下简称饮酒者)抗雄激素作用样邻苯二甲酸酯类物质,即邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)、邻苯二甲酸丁基苄基酯(BBP)的累积膳食摄入水平及其健康风险。方法利用2011—2013年间收集的24类食品中DEHP、DBP和BBP含量数据,结合2002年中国居民营养与健康状况调查数据,采用简单分布评估的方法,计算我国居民成人饮酒者全人群以及18~59岁(男、女)、60岁以上(男、女)等4个不同性别-年龄组人群DEHP、DBP和BBP的膳食摄入水平。采用危害指数法计算经膳食联合暴露于DEHP、DBP和BBP的健康风险。结果单一化学物的风险评估发现,我国成人饮酒者中全人群和各性别-年龄组人群的DEHP、DBP和BBP的平均摄入量和高食物消费量人群(P97.5)的摄入量均低于其相应的每日可耐受摄入量(TDI)。进一步分析发现,约有0.64%(18/2 800)的个体DBP摄入量超过其TDI。而采用危害指数方法进行的累积风险评估发现,我国成人饮酒者全人群和各性别-年龄组人群的危害指数均低于1;有0.79%(22/2 800)的个体危害指数超过1。结论中国居民成人饮酒者全人群的抗雄激素作用样PAEs的累积暴露健康风险较低,有24例个体的健康风险需要关注,建议适量饮酒。     

Dietary exposure and risk assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,polychlorinated dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls of the population in the Region of Valencia (Spain)

Dietary exposure of the Valencia Region population to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and PCBs was assessed in the Region of Valencia in 2010–2011. A total of 7700 food samples were collected. Occurrence data were combined with consumption data to estimate dietary exposure in adults (>15 years of age) and young people (6–15 years of age). The estimated intake was calculated by a probabilistic approach. Average intake levels (upper-bound scenario) were 1.58 and 2.76 pg toxic equivalent (TEQ) kg^?1 body weight (bw) day^?1 for adults and young people, respectively. These average intakes are within range of the tolerable daily intake of 1–4 pg WHO-TEQ kg^?1 bw day^?1 recommended by WHO, and slightly above the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 14 pg TEQ kg^?1 bw week^?1 and the Provisional tolerable monthly intake of 70 pg TEQ kg^?1 bw month^?1 set by the Scientific Committee on Food and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food, respectively. These results show that the contamination levels in food and therefore the exposure of the general population to PCDD/Fs and PCBs have declined in this region and therefore show the efficiency of the European risk-management measures. In terms of risk characterisation, the results showed that, under the upper-bound scenario, 22% of the adult and 58% of the young people population could exceed the TWI.