Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
A study was conducted in Lake Victoria to assess the occurrence, levels and risks of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in four processed Lates niloticus (L.) products (salted-sundried, trims, smoked and deep-fried). Samples extractions were done using QuEChERS method while detection and quantification of congeners was done using a GC- ECD and GC- MS. Six PCBs (CB 28, CB 52, CB 118, CB 138, CB 153 and CB 180) were detected at measurable quantities in fish products. The PCBs; CB 138, CB 153 and CB 180 dominated the loading due to their structures and high degree of chlorination. However, the mean concentration of ΣPCBs in this study were below MRL of 75 µg/kg set for fish by European Commission, implying that the fish products were safe for human consumption in regard to indicator PCBs. Similarly, indicator PCBs, CB 138, CB 153 and CB 180 were more prevalent (20 to 80%) in all fish products than other congeners. For both adults and children the cancer risks were low-to-moderate (ranging from 2.0E-04 to 3.0E-04 for adults and 2.0E-04 to 1.0E-03 for children) while the non-cancer risks were insignificant as the Hazard Indices were less than one.
Key words: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), kayabo, trims, smoked products, deep-fried products, extracting solvent.
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