A survey of organochlorine pesticides and PCB concentrations in fatty and non-fatty food samples of Albanian markets

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are used for agricultural and industrial purposes. Characteristic of them are higher stability and toxic effects. Analyses of organochlorine pollutants is a legal requirement to be continuous by respective institutions because human exposure to them primarily occurs through food contamination. Pesticide and PCB analysis were realized in non-fatty food (water, wine, beans, vegetables and dried fruits) and fatty food samples (vegetable oil, butter, meat, chicken and fish) for a five years period (2017-2021) by using gas chromatography technique followed by electron capture detector (GC/ECD). Samples were taken in random mode at different cities of Albania. Organochlorine pesticides (Lindane and its isomers, Heptachlors, DDT and their degradation products, Aldrines and Endosulfanes) and PCB markers were pre-treated and quantify based on EN 12393 and EN 1528 methods. Diversification of samples make this study a valuable guide for analytical laboratories that perform these tests and have limitations on their funds. Modern and costly techniques of GC/MS/MS and LC/MS/MS are recommended for determination of organic pollutants in food samples but GC/ECD technique (a low cost technique) is accepted to be used for organochlorine pollutants analyses because it offers the same limit of detection (ppb) in food samples. Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were detected almost in all food samples as a result of their previous uses or because of other factors (atmospheric deposition, degradation processes, water irrigation, animal feed, etc.). OCP levels were found in higher level in fish (fatty food samples) and vegetable (non-fatty samples). Pesticide degradation products were found higher than their primary substances because of their previous use. PCB concentrations were found in higher level for chicken (fatty food samples) and wine (non-fatty food samples). Volatile PCBs were found in higher level because of atmospheric deposition. OCP and PCB levels for more than 95% of analysed samples were lower than accepted levels conform EU and Albanian norms but their monitoring must be continuous.