Abstract
This study deals with an assessment of dietary exposure to polychlorodibenzoโpโdioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxinโlike polychlorobiphenyls (DLโPCBs) for the Italian general population, obtained by combining data from a national food consumption survey with contamination concentrations of European foodstuffs available on the market. The distribution of PCDD, PCDF, and DLโPCB dietary intake(s) in the Italian population was investigated to assess to what extent the variability in dietary habits may cause higher exposures to the previously mentioned contaminants. Results indicate that the main contributions to total PCDD, PCDF, and DLโPCB intake are due to fish and fish products (44%) and to milk and dairy products (27%). The mean PCDD, PCDF, and DLโPCB intake (total toxic equivalents) via food was estimated 5.34, 3.37, and 2.28 pg World Health Organization (WHO)โTE/kg of body weight (kgโbw) per day for the three age groups 0โ6 (breastfeeding excluded), 7โ12, and 13โ94 years old, respectively. The highest exposures due to variation in dietary habits are in general within a factor of 2โ3. From the mean exposure estimated for the general population (adults), it can be inferred that a consistent part of it would exceed the tolerable daily intake of 2 pg WHOโTE/kgโbw adopted by the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission in 2001.