Estimation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Intake through Fish Oil-Derived Dietary Supplements and Prescription Drugs in the Japanese Population

Oily fish and their extracted oils may be a source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which can induce toxic effects on the consumers. The main aim of this survey was estimation of PCBs intake through fish oil-derived dietary supplements and prescription drugs in the Japanese population.

PCBs levels were determined in 20 fish oil-derived dietary supplements and 6 oil-derived prescription drugs from the Japanese market using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Then, the daily exposure to PCBs was estimated. Data were statistically analyzed using JMP software suite.

Totally, 17 of the 26 fish oil-derived products were contaminated with PCBs. The median PCB concentrations in the total set of fish oil-derived products was 2.2 ng/g oil wt. with a range of <MDL-720 ng/g oil wt. The average total daily intake of PCBs was estimated to be ranged from 770 to 2800 ng/day in the Japanese population.

PCBs intakes through fish oil-derived dietary supplements and prescription drugs in the Japanese adults were much lower than tolerable daily intake.