[Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls in aquatic products in 10 provinces of China].

Objective: To investigate the pollution levels and characteristics of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) in aquatic products and assess the health risk of residents in 10 provinces of China.

Methods: A total of 629 aquatic product samples were collected from 10 provinces of China in 2023, including freshwater fish, marine fish and bivalves. The concentrations of seven indicator PCBs in aquatic products were determined by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the pollution characteristics were analyzed. Based on food consumption data in each province, the dietary exposure of indicator PCBs was calculated by the point estimate model to assess the health risks.

Results: The detection rate of Σ_7PCBs in aquatic products was 77.1%. The concentrations of Σ_7PCBs in aquatic products were ND-19.6 ng/g, with a mean concentration of 0.509 ng/g. The mean concentrations of Σ_7PCBs in marine fish was higher than those of bivalves and freshwater fish. In most provinces, the most predominant category was found to be PCB153 and PCB138. The mean levels of exposure to Σ_7PCBs through aquatic products for the general population in the 10 provinces ranged from 0.0473 ng/(kg·BW· d) to 1.61ng/(kg·BW·d), which was less than the tolerable daily intake(TDI). The mean exposure levels of Σ_7PCBs in eastern coastal regions were higher than those in inland regions.

Conclusion: The level of indicator PCBs in aquatic products in 10 provinces of China was at a low level, and the health risk of dietary exposure for the general population was within an acceptable range.