Dioxins Testing
Your Industry, Our Focus
Introduction
Dioxins refer to a group of chemically related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). They are mostly byproducts of various industrial processes and combustion activities. Due to their high toxicity and ability to bioaccumulate, testing for dioxins is crucial for monitoring environmental safety and protecting public health.
Sources of Dioxins
Dioxins are primarily released into the environment through:
- Industrial processes such as paper bleaching and the manufacture of herbicides and pesticides.
- Combustion activities, including waste incineration and the burning of fossil fuels.
- Natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions and forest fires
Health Risks of Dioxins
Dioxins are extremely toxic and can cause significant health issues, including:
- Cancer, particularly hormone-related cancers.
- Reproductive and developmental problems.
- Damage to the immune system.
- Interference with hormones and endocrine disruption.
Testing Methods for Dioxins
To detect and quantify dioxins, highly sensitive and specific analytical techniques are employed:
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): This method is widely used for the identification and quantification of dioxins. It separates chemical mixtures and identifies the components at a molecular level.
- High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS): HRMS offers precise measurements of dioxins, even at very low concentrations. This technique is essential for compliance with stringent regulatory standards.
Importance of testing Dioxins
|
Aspect |
Reason |
|
Health Risk Prevention |
Identifies and mitigates exposure to dioxins, helping prevent cancer, developmental disorders, and reproductive issues. |
|
Regulatory Compliance |
Ensures adherence to government and international limits on dioxin levels in the environment and in food products. |
|
Environmental Monitoring |
Assesses the effectiveness of regulations and cleanup efforts aimed at reducing dioxin pollution. |
|
Consumer Safety |
Guarantees that food and consumer products are free from unsafe levels of dioxins, protecting the public and enhancing trust in product safety. |
Standards and regulations
Dioxins and 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. For dairy products, the limits are 2.0 pg for dioxins and 4.0 pg for dioxin-like PCBs per gram of fat. 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) |
|
Meat and Meat Products |
|
|
|
|
Bovine, Ovine, and Caprine Animals |
2.5 pg/g fat |
4.0 pg/g fat |
40 ng/g fat |
|
Pigs |
1.0 pg/g fat |
1.25 pg/g fat |
40 ng/g fat |
|
Poultry |
1.75 pg/g fat |
3.0 pg/g fat |
40 ng/g fat |
|
Horse |
5.0 pg/g fat |
10.0 pg/g fat |
- |
|
Wild Game (Boar, Birds, Cervidae, etc.) |
2.0–5.0 pg/g fat |
4.0–10.0 pg/g fat |
- |
|
Liver and Derived Products |
|
|
|
|
Bovine, Caprine, Pigs, Poultry, Horse |
0.30–0.50 pg/g wet weight |
3.0 ng/g wet weight |
- |
|
Ovine |
1.25–2.0 pg/g wet weight |
3.0 ng/g wet weight |
- |
|
Wild Game Birds |
2.5–5.0 pg/g wet weight |
3.0 ng/g wet weight |
- |
|
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 |
|
Dairy Products |
|
|
|
|
Raw Milk and Dairy Products (Including Butter Fat) |
2.0 pg/g fat |
4.0 pg/g fat |
40 ng/g fat |
|
Eggs and Egg Products |
2.5 pg/g fat |
5.0 pg/g fat |
40 ng/g fat |
|
Vegetable Oils and Fats |
0.75 pg/g fat |
1.25 pg/g fat |
40 ng/g fat |
|
Food for Infants and Young Children |
0.1 pg/g wet weight |
0.2 pg/g wet weight |
1.0 ng/g wet weight |
Eurofins role in testing Dioxins
Eurofins plays a significant role in testing dioxins and other related contaminants such as furans and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Here are some key aspects of their involvement:
- Comprehensive Testing Capabilities: Eurofins is a leading laboratory group that offers a wide range of analytical methods for detecting dioxins, furans, and PCBs in food, feed, and environmental samples. They are capable of analyzing all 209 PCBs, including dioxin-like PCBs and WHO-PCBs.
- Advanced Technology: Eurofins utilizes cutting-edge equipment such as high-resolution gas chromatographs/high-resolution mass spectrometers (HRGC/HRMS) for precise analysis of dioxins and furans.
- Global Expertise: Eurofins analyzes around 15,000 dioxin samples annually, positioning them as a major player in the global market for dioxin testing1. They adhere to international standards and directives, such as those from Europe and Japan.
- Environmental Impact: By providing detailed analysis of dioxins and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), Eurofins contributes to understanding and mitigating environmental contamination.
Overall, Eurofins' expertise and advanced technology make them a crucial partner for industries and regulatory bodies seeking to monitor and manage dioxin exposure.
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