Testing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Fatty Fish

Introduction

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic chemicals historically used in industrial applications, such as electrical equipment, lubricants, and hydraulic systems. Despite being banned in many countries, PCBs persist in the environment due to their resistance to degradation. Fatty fish, such as salmon, herring, and mackerel, can accumulate PCBs through contaminated aquatic ecosystems.

Sources of PCBs in Fatty Fish

Bioaccumulation in Aquatic Food Chains: PCBs enter water bodies through industrial discharge, improper waste disposal, and atmospheric deposition, eventually accumulating in fish tissues.
Dietary Intake: Fish absorb PCBs by consuming contaminated smaller organisms. Fatty tissues are particularly prone to PCB storage due to their lipophilic nature.
Environmental Persistence: PCBs resist breakdown in aquatic ecosystems, making them long-term pollutants.

Health Concerns Associated with PCBs in Fatty Fish

Carcinogenic Potential: PCBs are classified as probable human carcinogens (Group 2A by IARC), linked to increased risks of liver and other cancers.
Endocrine Disruption: PCBs interfere with hormonal systems, potentially affecting growth, reproduction, and metabolism.
Neurological Impacts: Prenatal and early-life exposure to PCBs can impair cognitive development and motor skills.
Immune System Suppression: Chronic exposure may weaken immune defenses, increasing vulnerability to infections.

Testing Methods for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Fatty Fish

Category	Method	Purpose	Key Features
Gas Chromatography (GC)	GC-ECD	High sensitivity	Detects PCBs at trace levels
	GC-MS	Specificity and quantification	Identifies and quantifies individual PCB congeners
	GC-HRMS	Detailed congener profiling	High resolution for complex mixtures
Immunoassays	ELISA	Rapid screening	Cost-effective and quick preliminary analysis

Importance of testing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Fatty Fish

Aspect	Importance
Human Health Protection	PCBs are toxic and linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, and developmental issues. Fatty fish can bioaccumulate PCBs, posing risks to consumers.
Environmental Safety	Monitoring PCB levels helps assess contamination in aquatic ecosystems and ensures the health of marine and freshwater species.
Regulatory Compliance	Ensures fish products meet safety standards (e.g., EPA, EU, FSSAI regulations) and protects industries from legal and trade issues due to non-compliance.
Public Confidence	Transparent testing assures consumers of safe fish consumption and encourages sustainable fishing practices and quality assurance.
Long-Term Risk Assessment	Tracks trends in environmental pollution and provides data for policymaking and remediation efforts.

Standards and regulations

PCBs are toxic chemicals that can accumulate in food, especially in fatty products like dairy, meat, and fish. Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum limits for these substances in various foods to protect public health. These regulations help ensure safe levels of these pollutants in food.

Product Category	Dioxins (pg WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ/g)	Dioxins & Dioxin-like PCBs (pg WHO-PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ/g)	Non-Dioxin-like PCBs (ng/g)
Fishery Products
Fish (except specified)	3.5 pg/g wet weight	6.5 pg/g wet weight	75 ng/g wet weight
Freshwater Fish (Wild-caught)	3.5 pg/g wet weight	6.5 pg/g wet weight	125 ng/g wet weight
Spiny Dogfish, Eel, etc.	3.5–10.0 pg/g wet weight	6.5–10.0 pg/g wet weight	200–300 ng/g wet weight
Fish Liver	-	20.0 pg/g wet weight	200 ng/g wet weight

The FSSAI regulations related to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in fish and fishery products are outlined in the Compendium of Contaminants document, which provides guidelines to ensure the safety of food products consumed in India. Specifically, the regulations focus on setting maximum permissible limits for contaminants like PCBs in fish and fishery products to safeguard public health.

For PCBs, which are persistent environmental pollutants, the FSSAI has set the following limits:

Inland and Migratory Fish: The maximum permissible limit for PCBs (the sum of PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB138, PCB153, and PCB180) is set at 2.0 ppm. This regulation is in place to ensure that fish sourced from inland water bodies and migratory species do not exceed this concentration, minimizing the risk of harmful effects on consumers.
Marine Fish, Crustaceans, and Molluscs: For marine species, the permissible limit for PCBs (sum of the same PCB congeners) is set at 0.5 ppm. These limits are established to account for the higher likelihood of PCB contamination in marine environments due to the accumulation of pollutants in marine ecosystems

Eurofins role in testing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Fatty Fish

Eurofins is a global network of laboratories that provides a wide range of testing services, including the analysis of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in food products such as fatty fish. The role of Eurofins in testing PCBs can be described as follows:

Testing and Analysis: Eurofins conducts high-quality testing and analysis of fatty fish for PCBs, ensuring that the levels of PCBs in fish comply with regulatory standards set by authorities like the EU, FSSAI, and other global organizations. They use advanced analytical techniques such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) for accurate and reliable PCB detection.
Compliance with Regulations: Eurofins helps food producers, exporters, and regulatory bodies ensure that fish and fishery products meet the safety limits for PCBs, as specified by regulatory bodies like the European Union (EU), FSSAI, and the US EPA. Their testing supports compliance with maximum residue limits (MRLs) for contaminants like PCBs in food.
Quality Control and Assurance: Eurofins employs strict quality control processes, using certified reference materials and internal standards, to ensure the accuracy and precision of PCB testing. This includes testing for the sum of PCB congeners such as PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB138, PCB153, and PCB180, which are of particular concern in food safety.
Environmental and Food Safety Monitoring: In addition to testing fish and fishery products, Eurofins offers environmental monitoring services to detect PCB contamination in water bodies, which is crucial for preventing the accumulation of PCBs in aquatic organisms.
Research and Development: Eurofins is involved in the ongoing development of better analytical methods and protocols for detecting PCBs and other contaminants in food products. This research supports advancements in food safety and more efficient testing procedures.

By providing comprehensive testing services, Eurofins plays a key role in ensuring that fatty fish and other food products are free from harmful levels of PCBs, supporting both consumer health and compliance with international food safety standards.