A retrospective study on dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in milk and dairy products from the Latium region (Italy) over a 7-year study period (2011-2017).

This study reports the data of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), -furans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls dioxin-like (dl PCBs) measured in a total of 260 samples of the dairy supply chain collected over a period of 7 years (2011-2017) in the Latium region (Italy). Levels and average profiles of congeners were reported for each group of the analyzed dairy matrices, and any differences between different sampling strategies were considered (around likely pollutant sources or casual sampling). Of the samples, 95.4% resulted compliant with the regulated levels; only samples belonging to the "sheep bulk milk" matrix were found to be above either the action levels or the maximum levels (tot. 12 samples). Raw milk of the sheep species showed the highest averages (PCDD/F 0.248 and dl PCB 0.966 WHO TEQ pg/g of fat) compared to the milk of other species. The buffalo milk showed a content of dl PCB significantly lower (dl PCB: 0.371 WHO TEQ pg/g of fat) than the sheep milk (p<0.05). Dioxins were found to be superior to furans in almost all dairy products, except in the noncompliant samples where furans were higher. The OCDD was found to be the most abundant congener in almost all dairy products. This study provides a first list of reference values for background contamination of the dairy supply chain in the Latium region. These pre-existing values will be useful in all cases of environmental pollution to identify critical situations.

Poaching of endangered species in Mediterranean Sea: Alopias vulpinus.

A thresher shark poached by fishermen in the stretch of sea between the island of Ponza and the coast of Terracina (Lazio, Central Italy, Mediterranean Sea) and confiscated by the Italian health authorities was evaluated for the presence of chemical contaminants. Hg mean concentration of 2.1 mg kg-1 was found in muscle; speciation analysis confirmed it was almost in the toxic organic form of MeHg (2.0 mg kg-1). The Se:Hg molar ratio was <1 not protective against the toxic effect of Hg. 137Cs was detected at a mean concentration of 0.53 Bq kg-1, and 40K, radioisotope of natural origin was found at 91 Bq kg-1. Dioxins and PCBs were found in the common thresher shark at mean concentrations of 0.012 and 0.088 pg TEQ-WHO g-1 w.w. while NDL PCBs at 4.5 ng g-1 w.w., lower than limits set by European Regulation. The major concern is constituted by the presence of Hg twice the maximum limit set by EU Regulation, then the consumption of thresher shark flesh should be strongly discouraged.