Associations of diet with body burden of dibenzo-<b><i>p</i></b>-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): Observations on pregnant women from central Taiwan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between placental polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) toxic equivalent (TEQ) levels and the consumption of various food types in pregnant women from central Taiwan. Placental PCDD/Fs and PCB congener TEQ levels were evaluated in 109 pregnant women and dietary information was obtained by questionnaire. TEQ levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were positively associated with age and annual family incomes (p < 0.05). PCDD/F TEQs were significantly associated with freshwater fish and dairy product consumption after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.05). For PCB TEQs, significant associations were detected for saltwater fish consumption (p < 0.05). In summary, positive correlations were found between freshwater fish and dairy product intake and PCDD/F levels, and a marginal correlation between saltwater fish intake and the body burden of PCBs in pregnant women from central Taiwan. Risk assessment of PCDD/Fs and PCB in fishery products is warranted in a future study to quantify the benefits of fish consumption during the perinatal period.