Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in infant food: Occurrence and exposure assessment

The objective of this study was to analyze the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in infant food (infant formulas and human milk) collected in Serbia and to assess their exposure and associated health risks. A total of 101 PCB congeners and 26 PBDE congeners were analyzed. In infant formulas (IF), the total PCB levels averaged 63.17 ± 46.67 ng/g fat, with PentaCBs being the most abundant. The highest concentration was observed for PCB #101, at 3.69 ± 2.72 ng/g fat. Total PBDE levels in IF averaged 4.71 ± 2.96 ng/g fat, with DecaBDEs dominating. The highest concentration was determined for BDE #209, at 3.90 ± 2.38 ng/g fat. In human milk (HM), the total PCB levels averaged 82.27 ± 46.70 ng/g fat, with HexaCBs as the predominant group. PCB #153 had the highest concentration, at 12.98 ± 7.91 ng/g fat. Total PBDE levels averaged 4.17 ± 4.55 ng/g fat, with DecaBDEs being most abundant. BDE #209 had the highest concentration, at 3.17 ± 4.01 ng/g fat. The estimated daily intake of dl-PCBs for breastfed and formula-fed infants ranged from 11.79-13.96 to 0.37-0.44 pg WHO2005-PCB-TEQ/kg-bw/day, respectively. Hazard quotients for PBDEs ranged from 1.37-6.50 for breastfed infants to 0.65-5.90 for formula-fed infants, highlighting potential health concerns for breastfed infants. The pollutant levels in HM were comparable to those reported in other Central and Eastern European countries.