Quantitative Analysis of Dioxins and Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls in İnci Kefali (Alburnus tarichi, Güldenstädt, 1814): Implications for Public Health Risk Assessment

Objective: Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) classified as persistent organic pollutants can enter the human food chain, especially through animal-based products like fish, and pose significant toxicological risks. The inci kefali (Alburnus tarichi, Güldenstädt, 1814) an endemic species in Lake Van, is a widely consumed fish by the local population. Therefore, assessing the levels of these pollutants in inci kefali is of considerable importance for public health monitoring and risk assessment. Material and Method: In this study, a total of 30 inci kefali specimens were collected from ten different local fishers in Van Province. Sample preparation was performed in an accredited laboratory authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture, following EPA standard methods. PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and indicator PCBs were analyzed by APGC-MS/MS using isotope dilution with ¹³C-labeled internal standards. Results: The mean concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCDD/Fs + dl-PCBs and indicator PCBs in the analyzed samples were found to be 0.056 ± 0.008 pgWHO-TEQ/g wet weight, 0.220 ± 0.019 pgWHO-TEQ/g wet weight and 0.135 ± 0.010 ng/g wet weight, respectively. The Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) and Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) were calculated as 0.063 pgWHO-TEQ/kg body weight/day and 0.440 pgWHO-TEQ/kg body weight/week, respectively. Conclusion: The results show that PCDD/Fs, PCDD/Fs + dl-PCBs, and indicator PCBs in inci kefali samples obtained from Lake Van are well below the legal limits set by the European Commission and the Turkish Food Codex. Furthermore, TDI and TWI values were also found to be below the limits set by the European Food Safety Authority. These findings show that inci kefali consumption does not currently pose a significant health risk to human health