Persistent organic pollutants in edible fish: a human and environmental health problem

Many persistent organic pollutants (POPs) pose serious health hazards to both the environment and human. Among these, polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are probable human carcinogens and can also pose non-cancer health hazards to intellectual functions and the nervous, immune and reproductive systems. The risks and hazards associated with POP residues in tissues are a function of the dioxin-like compound toxicity and an individual's exposure. Fish consumption might become a serious problem because of bioaccumulation as revealed in many studies worldwide.We report data concerning the accumulation and pattern of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), p,p′-DDE and PCBs in edible tissues of commercial fish species (bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus, swordfish Xiphias gladius, Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus) from Italian Seas and of the Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni from the Ross Sea (Antarctica). The species analyzed are part of the human diet. 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalents (TEQs) and tolerable weekly intake (TWI) were also calculated to evaluate the toxic hazard for the population that include them in their diet.Gaschromatography revealed 0.16±0.24 and 0.4±0.2 ng/g wet wt of HCB in Antarctic toothfish and bluefin tuna, respectively. p,p′-DDE concentrations were 38±29 and 31±38 ng/g wet wt in swordfish and bluefin tuna muscle, respectively, and 0.66±0.57 ng/g wet wt in the Antarctic toothfish. PCBs showed higher concentrations and they were 89±82, 80±86 and 5.2±4.0 ng/g wet wt in the muscle of swordfish, bluefin tuna and Antarctic toothfish, respectively. In Mediterranean fish, the most abundant congeners were the most persistent PCB numbers 153, 138, 180, 118 and 170, which accounted for 51% and 47% of the total PCB residue in tuna fish and swordfish, respectively, and 18% in the Antarctic toothfish. TEQs were 1.97 and 4.65 pg/g wet wt in bluefin tuna muscle and gonads, respectively, and 0.11 pg/g wet wt in Antarctic toothfish. The TEQ weekly intake was calculated and values ranged 197–465 pg_TEQ/week when consuming 100 g of Mediterranean fish and therefore lower than the recommended TWI. Those values were higher (788–1860 pg_TEQ/week) than the recommended TWI, if 400 g of fish/week was consumed (with the exception of Antarctic fish).     

Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in the lower troposphere of the North- and South-Atlantic Ocean

Summary Fourteen polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were quantified in air samples of the tropospheric boundary layer of the Atlantic Ocean. The samples were taken on the German research vessel Polarstern during north-south cruises across the Atlantic Ocean (1990, 1991), and on the Capo Verde islands in the North Atlantic Ocean (1992). Values for the sum of PCB were between 48 pg/m³ (values for the seven indicator congeners were [in pg/m³]: PCB 28: 1.3; PCB 52: 5.0; PCB 101: 3.0; PCB 118: 0.5; PCB 138: 1; PCB 153: 1; PCB 180: <0.2) in the Westwind Belt of the eastern North Atlantic and 22 pg/m³ (values for the seven indicator congeners were [in pg/m³]: PCB 28: 2.3; PCB 52: 3.4; PCB 101: 0.5; PCB 118: <0.2; PCB 138: <0.2; PCB 153: <0.2; PCB 180: <0.2) in the Westwind Belt of the central South Atlantic. Up to 385 pg/m³ (values for the seven indicator congeners were [in pg/m³]: PCB 28: 2.6; PCB 52: 11.7; PCB 101: 28.4; PCB 118: 9; PCB 138: 21; PCB 153: 18; PCB 180: 5.5) were measured of the coast of South Patagonia. A difference depending on latitude and on terrestrial influenced air masses between the lower and the higher chlorinated congeners was observed. The levels of three- and tetrachlorinated congeners were highest in the Trade Wind regions. The contents of the higher chlorinated congeners had maxima in samples influenced by continental air masses. A correlation of the levels of the lower chlorinated congeners in air over the South Atlantic with the surface water temperature and thus with the temperature dependent gas/water partition coefficient K_gw was observed. Part XVI: Fischer RC, Krämer W, Ballschmiter K (1991) Chemosphere 23:889–900     

Congener-specific method for the determination of ortho and non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in foods by carbon-column fractionation and gas chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry

 The chromatographic behavior of ortho and non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on supported carbon columns has been investigated and the structure-affinity relationship of activated carbon towards PCB molecules established. Optimisation of the parameters controlling the elution of PCB congeners through the carbon column led to the development of a solvent scheme for the efficient separation of (i) ortho substituted PCBs, (ii) non-ortho substituted PCBs and (iii) polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in three separate fractions. A method for the extraction, clean-up, fractionation and determination of ortho and non-ortho substituted PCBs by GC-isotope dilution MS was developed and validated by analysis of a certified reference material. Possible losses of PCBs during freeze-drying and interferences of aliphatic hydrocarbons during mass spectrometric determination of ortho substituted PCBs are also discussed. Received: 23 June 1995/Revised: 9 May 1996/Accepted: 25 May 1996     

Fractionation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and planar polychlorinated biphenyls by high performance liquid chromatography on a pyrenyl-silica column

Analytical procedures for the determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) require a fractionation step to separate PCDD/F from planar PCB and the bulk of PCB. An HPLC method which achieves the separation of the bulk of PCB (0–6 mL of hexane), mono-ortho PCB (6–8 mL of hexane), non-ortho PCB (8–15 mL of hexane) and PCDD/F (15–50 mL of toluene) on a PYE column (2-(1-pyrenyl) ethyldimethylsilylated silica gel) in a single step without the use of backflush as other authors proposed was developed. The method shows a good accuracy and precision and it is linear in the range studied, e.g from 5.8 to 2420 pg injected in HPLC for TCDD/F, from 28.8 to 12100 pg for PeCDD/F, HxCDD/F, HpCDD/F and from 57.6 to 24200 pg for OCDD/F. It has been successfully applied to the analysis of technical mixtures of PCB (Aroclors), a pine wood sample and several water samples of different origins. Received: 29 November 1998 / Revised: 25 February 1999 / Accepted: 3 March 1999     

Fractionation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and planar polychlorinated biphenyls by high performance liquid chromatography on a pyrenyl-silica column

Analytical procedures for the determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) require a fractionation step to separate PCDD/F from planar PCB and the bulk of PCB. An HPLC method which achieves the separation of the bulk of PCB (0–6 mL of hexane), mono-ortho PCB (6–8 mL of hexane), non-ortho PCB (8–15 mL of hexane) and PCDD/F (15–50 mL of toluene) on a PYE column (2-(1-pyrenyl) ethyldimethylsilylated silica gel) in a single step without the use of backflush as other authors proposed was developed. The method shows a good accuracy and precision and it is linear in the range studied, e.g from 5.8 to 2420 pg injected in HPLC for TCDD/F, from 28.8 to 12100 pg for PeCDD/F, HxCDD/F, HpCDD/F and from 57.6 to 24200 pg for OCDD/F. It has been successfully applied to the analysis of technical mixtures of PCB (Aroclors), a pine wood sample and several water samples of different origins. Received: 29 November 1998 / Revised: 25 February 1999 / Accepted: 3 March 1999     

Group separation of ortho-PCBs, coplanar non-ortho-PCBs and PCDDs/PCDFs using an alumina column as an one-step clean-up procedure

 A novel, simple inexpensive and rapid clean-up procedure is presented for the separation and quantitative determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (ortho-PCBs), coplanar non-ortho-PCBs (PCB No. 77, 126, 169) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in environmental samples. This clean-up procedure is the first method separating ortho-PCBs, non-ortho-PCBs and PCDD/PCDFs in one step with a single activated alumina column. Firstly, the ortho-PCBs are eluted from the activated alumina with a non-polar solvent. The non-ortho-PCBs are isolated in the second fraction with a more polar solvent-mixture, and finally the PCDD/PCDFs are collected in a polar fraction. This clean-up procedure was used to determine the congener-specific concentrations of ortho-PCBs, non-ortho-PCBs 77, 126 and 169 and PCDD/PCDFs in two different seepage waters and in one sewage sludge by HRGC and HRMS. The toxic equivalent quantities (TEQs) of the individual PCDD/PCDF-congeners and some toxic coplanar PCB-congeners were estimated. Received: 26 June 1996/Revised: 11 September 1996/Accepted: 14 September 1996     

Enhanced Photoactivated Luminescence of Selected Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners and Aroclor Mixtures

Fluorescence studies of selected polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and Aroclor mixtures were conducted using enhanced photoactivated luminescence. Diphenylamine (DPA) was used as a photoactivator. DPA reacts with PCBs to form a fluorescent photoproduct under UV activation. The sensitivities of fluorescence detection using three different solid substrates were compared. Background studies of the substrates and DPA blanks were also conducted to determine the substrate with the best detection characteristics for enhanced photoactivated fluorescence. It was found that the Envi disk with a glass-fiber mesh and C-18-modified silica provides more analyte access for fluorescence detection, thereby providing best sensitivity. By comparison of the fluorescence from pure PCB congener–DPA complexes, the more coplanar congeners exhibited a red shift in excitation and emission as compared with theortho-substituted nonplanar congeners. These studies may prove useful in determining trends relating fluorescence intensity and toxicity factors.     

Polychlorobiphenyls in Antarctica

The presence and the distribution of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in Antarctic environmental components and the effect of the seasonal formation/melting process of pack ice on the pollution level of seawater were investigated. Seawater, marine, and lake sediment and soil samples were collected in a large area of the Ross Sea and Victoria Land during the 1988–1989, 1989–1990, 1990–1991, and 1991–1992 Italian expeditions. The results obtained highlighted a low and quite homogeneous PCB contamination of the studied area. Surface seawater samples from Gerlache Inlet and Wood Bay showed a typical PCB concentration of 130 pg/liter, and an increase after pack ice melting of about 30–40%. Marine sediment, lake sediment, and soil samples showed normalized mean PCB contents of 150, 240, and 130 (pg/g)/(m²/cm³), respectively.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls,dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in soil samples from airport areas of Croatia

Levels and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were studied in surface soil samples collected in the coastal part of Croatia within and surrounding four different airports and in the vicinity of two partially devastated electrical transformer stations. The compounds accumulated from air-dried soil samples by multiple ultrasonic extraction with an n-hexane?:?acetone 1?:?1 mixture were analysed by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture and ion-trap detection. PCBs were quantified against a standard Aroclor 1242/Aroclor 1260 mixture and a standard mixture of 17 individual PCB congeners (IUPAC No.: 28, 52, 60, 74, 101, 105, 114, 118, 123, 138, 153, 156, 157, 167, 170, 180, and 189). The mass fractions of total PCBs in 18 soil samples collected within the airport premises ranged from 3 to 41?327?µg/kg dry weight (dw) (median: 533?µg/kg?dw), and those in 21 samples collected at a distance ranging from several metres to 5?km away from the airport fence, from <1 to 39?µg/kg?dw (median: 5?µg/kg?dw). The highest PCB levels were determined in soils along the airport aprons where the aircrafts were serviced and refuelled. The PCB pattern was very similar to technical Aroclor 1260 in all airport soils. The PCB pattern in 22 soils collected in the vicinity of electrical transformer stations was dominated by congeners contained in Aroclor 1242. These soils contained 7 to >400?µg/kg?dw of total PCBs. One highly PCB-contaminated airport soil sample was analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). With an international toxic equivalent (I-TEQ) of 9.7?ng/kg?dw, the airport soil contamination was within values typical for urban and rural areas, and the congener patterns gave no clear indication for PCBs as the only source of PCDDs/PCDFs.     

Reactions of Substituted Ethyl 1,2,3,4,4′,5′-Hexahydrospiro-[naphthalene-2,5′-pyrazole]-3′-carboxylates with Halogens

Substituted ethyl 1,2,3,4,4′,5′-hexahydrospiro[naphthalene-2,5′-pyrazole]-3′-carboxylates react with chlorine or N-bromosuccinimide to give spirocyclic substituted 3-halo-4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrazoles which lose nitrogen molecule on heating with formation of substituted spirocyclic 1-halocyclopropane-1-carboxylates. Heating of the title compounds with bromine in acetic acid results in opening of the spiro-fused six-membered ring to afford ethyl 4-aryl-5-[2-(2-carboxyphenyl)ethyl]pyrazole-3-carboxylates.__________Translated from Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, Vol. 41, No. 7, 2005, pp. 1058–1063.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Molchanov, Korotkov, Kopf, Kostikov.     

Development of an immunoassay and a sol-gel-based immunoaffinity cleanup method for coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls from soil and sediment samples

Two polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed using goat PCB purified immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies (Abs). The IgGs exhibited the highest affinity toward PCB-77 (24 ng mL⁻¹) with sensitivities in the range of 6-11 ng mL⁻¹. The Abs cross-reacted with PCB-126 and the heptachlorodibenzofuran 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF but not with PCB-169, PCB-118, Aroclor 1232, 1248, 1260 or the hexachlorodibenzofuran 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF. The IgGs were also used to develop a sol-gel-based immunoaffinity purification (IAP) method for cleanup of PCB-126. Recovery efficiencies depended on the sol-gel formats; a 1:12 format resulted in the highest binding capacity. Net binding capacity ranged from 112 to 257 ng, and 90% of the analyte could be eluted with only 2 mL of ethanol. The method was also very efficient in purifying PCB-126 from spiked soil and sediment samples from contaminated sites; and eliminating matrix interferences to a degree that enabled analysis of the purified samples by ELISA. The approaches developed in the course of the study form a basis for the development of additional IAP methods for other PCBs, and their implementation in high-throughput screening programs for PCB in food, soil, and other environmental and biological samples.     

Complete PCB congener distributions for 17 aroclor mixtures determined by 3 HRGC systems optimized for comprehensive,quantitative, congener-specific analysis

Three HRGC systems (1: 30m DB-XLB capillary with MS-SIM detection; 2: 60m DB-XLB capillary with full-scan, ion-trap MS detection; and 3: Parallel dual-column DB-17 and series-coupled HP5/HT5 with ECD detection) were used to completely characterize multiple lots of 8 different-numbered Aroclor mixtures by quantitative calibration against 9 solutions containing primary standards of all 209 PCB congeners. Despite lower absolute sensitivity and more Aroclor congener coelutions than the dual-column ECD system, the MS systems enabled measurement of more congeners per Aroclor since their greater linear response range did not require dilution of samples and standards. Pairs of different lots of Aroclors 1248 and 1254 displayed markedly different proportions of congeners, and the 1254 pair displayed strong differences in the extent of ortho-chlorine substitution. The tables of congener weight percent distributions among Aroclors are more comprehensive and quantitatively precise than those of prior publications. However, the limitations of single-level calibration precluded measurement of all congeners to the ±10% accuracy desirable for establishing these Aroclors as secondary standards for comprehensive, quantitative congener-specific PCB analysis.     

Efficient enantioselective synthesis of (+)-sclareolide and (+)-tetrahydroactinidiolide: chiral LBA-induced biomimetic cyclization

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of the lactones (+)-sclareolide and (+)-tetrahydroactinidiolide has been achieved through Lewis acid-assisted chiral Brønsted acid-induced enantioselective cyclization of terpenic carboxylic acids. The reaction sequence involved the [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of an allylic alcohol and biomimetic cyclization of terpenic acid in the presence of (R)-2-benzyloxy-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl and tin tetrachloride as key steps. The cyclization gave lactones in good yield and with high enantiomeric excess.     

Electrochemical and DNA-binding properties of dipyridophenazine complexes of osmium(II)

A transition metal complex as an electrochemical probe of a DNA sensor must have an applicable redox potential, high binding affinity and chemical stability. Some complexes with the dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (DPPZ) ligand have been reported to have high binding affinity for DNA. However, it was difficult to detect the targeted DNA electrochemically using these complexes because of the relatively high redox potential. In this work, a combination of bipyridine ligands with functional groups (---NH₂, ---CH₃ and ---COOH) and the DPPZ ligand were studied. The introduction of electron-donating groups was effective for controlling the redox potential of the DPPZ-type osmium complex. The [Os(DA-bpy)₂DPPZ]²⁺ complex (DA-bpy; 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine) had a lower half-wave potential (E_1/2) of 147 mV (vs. Ag AgCl) and higher binding affinity with DNA {binding constant, K=3.1×10⁷ M⁻¹ in 10 mmol dm⁻³ Tris–HCl buffer with 50 mmol dm⁻³ NaCl (pH 7.76)} than those of other complexes. With the single stranded DNA (ssDNA) modified gold electrode, the hybridization signal (ΔI) of the [Os(DA-bpy)₂DPPZ]²⁺ complex was linear in the concentration range of 1.0 pg ml⁻¹–0.12 μg ml⁻¹ for the targeted DNA with a regression coefficient of 0.999. The detection limit was 0.1 pg ml⁻¹.     

Molecular simulation of the interaction between novel type rhodanine derivative probe and bovine serum albumin

The interaction between 3-(4′-methylphenyl)-5-(4′-methyl-2′-sulfophenylazo) rhodanine (M4MRASP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by using spectrofluorimetry. It was shown in fluorescence spectrums that the quenching mechanism of BSA by M4MRASP was a static quenching. Meanwhile, the binding constant and binding site numbers were calculated. The action distance (r = 8.03 nm) and energy transfer efficiency (E = 0.12) between donor (BSA) and acceptor (M4MRASP) were obtained according to the theory of Förster non-radiation energy transfer. The effect of M4MRASP on the conformation of BSA was further analyzed by using synchronous fluorescence spectrometry. A new model of the interaction between small organic molecule and biomacromolecule was established. The results offered a reference for the studies on the biological effects and action mechanism of small molecule with protein.     

High levels of cholesteryl esters, progesterone and estradiol in the testis of aging male Fischer 344 rats: feminizing Leydig cell tumors

The levels and fatty acid composition of cholesteryl esters (CEs), and the levels of steroid hormones in the testis of aging Fischer 344 (F344) rats were studied in comparison with those of 6-month-old rats without Leydig cell tumors (controls). The total lipid content in the testis increased as Leydig cell tumors developed: in 23-month-old rats, the content increased to five times higher than that of the controls. The CE level reached about 300 times higher than that of the controls and comprised 57.5% of the total lipid of the testis. The fatty acid composition of the CEs in the tumor compared to the normal tissue from the controls was characterized by a marked increase in 22:4 (n-6) and a decrease in 22:5 (n-6), a characteristic acid in rat testis lipids. Testicular progesterone levels considerably increased with the development of tumors (23-month-old rats, 2870 ng/wet wt; controls, 7 ng/g wet wt). Also, levels of estradiol showed striking increments (23-month-old rats, 2205 pg/g wet wt; controls, 153 pg/g wet wt). On the other hand, testosterone levels decreased (23-month-old rats, 13 ng/g wet wt; controls, 50 ng/g wet wt). These results suggest that Leydig cell tumors in aging F344 rats resemble the ovary tissue of rats in the levels and fatty acid composition of the CEs, and in the levels of steroid hormones. This is supported by the observation that the two kinds of cells found in the tumor tissue resemble cells of the corpus luteum and granulosa cells of the follicles, respectively, in the ovary of rats. In conclusion, the study shows that Leydig cell tumors in aging male F344 rats have a tendency towards feminization.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel α- or β-tetra[6,7-dihexyloxy-3-(4-oxyphenyl)coumarin]-substituted metal-free and metallo phthalocyanines

The synthesis of novel phthalonitriles substituted at 3- or 4-position with 6,7-dihexyloxy-3-(4-oxyphenyl)coumarin were performed. The metal-free and metallo phthalocyanines (MPcs) (M = Zn, Co, Cu) were prepared by cyclotetramerization of 6,7-dihexyloxy-3-[p-(2′,3′-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]coumarin or 6,7-dihexyloxy-3-[p-(3′,4′-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]coumarin. The newly prepared compounds, phthalonitriles and Pcs, have been characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MALDI-TOF, IR, UV–Vis and fluorescence spectral data. The electronic spectra exhibit bands of coumarin identity along with characteristic Q and B bands of the Pc core. The IR-spectra of all Pcs showed three characteristic intense bands at 1709–1700 cm⁻¹ for lactone carbonyl, two bands at 1489–1604 cm⁻¹ for conjugated olefinic system.     

Development and validation of an analytical methodology for the determination of p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDD in fish oil pills

An analytical methodology was proposed and validated to be applied to the determination of p,p′-DDT and its metabolites p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDD in fish oil. The analytical procedure presented in this paper involves a single-step clean up process prior to the analysis. A solution of 1,2,3,4-tetrachloronaphtalene was used as internal standard.The analytical technique used was gas chromatography coupled to an electron capture detector. Details on the validation process are provided.The limits of detection ranged from 2.6 to 4.7 pg μL^− 1. The BCR 598 standard reference material (cod liver oil) was used to evaluate the performance of the methodology with satisfactory recoveries for all the compounds.The analytes were determined in three different fish oil pills sold in Spain as a supplementary vitamin support. The sum of p,p′-DDT and metabolites was from 13.2 to 51.3 ng g^− 1, the dominant compound being p,p′-DDE.     

杭州市冬季大气气溶胶PM2.5中二恶英和多氯联苯的污染特征

2014年1月在杭州市选择5个点位采集大气颗粒物PM_2.5样品,采用同位素稀释高分辨气相色谱/高分辨质谱测定PM_2.5中的二恶英（PCDD/Fs）和多氯联苯（PCBs）,对PM_2.5的污染状况以及PM_2.5中PCDD/Fs和PCBs的污染水平及分布特征进行了研究。PM_2.5的质量浓度范围为85~168 μg/m³,PM_2.5污染较重,但与2004年同期相比明显降低。PM_2.5中PCDD/Fs的毒性当量（TEQ）为0.277~0.488 pg I-TEQ/m³,明显高于2004年同期采集样品。颗粒物中PCDD/Fs以八氯代二苯并-对-二恶英（OCDD）为主,毒性当量主要贡献者为2,3,4,7,8-五氯代二苯并呋喃（2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF）。PM_2.5中PCBs的质量浓度范围为2.9~8.1 pg/m³,二恶英类多氯联苯（DL-PCBs）的毒性当量范围为2.6~6.1 fg WHO-TEQ/m³,污染较低。PCBs在颗粒物中分布以PCB-28为主,但对毒性当量贡献最大的为PCB-126。PCDD/Fs和PCBs的气-固分配特征表现为PCDD/Fs主要分布于颗粒物中,而PCBs主要分布于气相中。     

Polychlorinated naphthalene concentrations and profiles in cheese and butter,and comparisons with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin,polychlorinated dibenzofuran and polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are candidates for inclusion in the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants. PCNs are structurally and toxicologically similar to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) and its analogues. Intake in food is considered to be an important human exposure pathway for PCNs. In this preliminary study, cheese and butter samples were analysed for PCNs, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using an isotope dilution gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the PCN concentrations in the cheese and butter samples and to compare them with the PCDD, PCDF and PCB concentrations. The PCN concentrations were 5.6–103 pg g^?1 of wet weight in the seven cheese samples tested and 5.0–199 pg g^?1 of wet weight in the seven butter samples tested. The mass concentrations of lower chlorinated congeners were greater than those of the higher chlorinated congeners. Congeners of CN45/36, CN27/30 and CN33/34/37 were much more abundant than other congeners found in tetrachlorinated PCNs. Congeners of CN51, CN66/67 and CN73 were determined to be the predominant congeners in penta-, hexa- and heptachlorinated homologs, respectively. The PCNs contributed around 5% of the total PCN, PCDD, PCDF and PCB toxic equivalence (TEQ) values. CN73 was found to be the dominant PCN congener and contributed more than 40% to the PCN TEQ value. Congeners CN66/67, CN69 and CN63 were also found at relatively high levels. The PCB congener CB118 was the predominant congener (by mass-based concentration) of the 12 dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs). The PCBs contributed 53.8% of the total TEQ, and congener CB126 contributed more than any other compound that was analysed to the total TEQ. The PCDDs and PCDFs contributed 11.6% and 29.7% of the total TEQ values, respectively.