Müller J F, Prange J, Gaus C, Moore M R, Päpke O
National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology, 39 Kessels Rd, Coopers Plains 4108, Qld, Australia.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2001;8(1):7-10. doi: 10.1007/BF02987289.
Nine samples of butter from producers in various states of Australia were analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Detectable concentrations of 2,3,7,8-chlorine substituted PCDD/Fs were found in all samples. The mean PCDD/F concentration expressed as 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents (TEQs) was 0.19 pg TEQ g-1 fat. The highest concentration (0.46 pg TEQ g-1 fat) was observable in a sample from Victoria which is the most densely populated state. Overall the results indicate that PCDD/F concentrations in dairy products from Australia are low in comparison to the levels in dairy products of industrialized countries on the Northern Hemisphere. As expected, this study provides evidence that the environmental and consequently the human body burden of PCDD/Fs to be relatively low in Australia.
