PCBs, PCDD/Fs, and Organochlorine Pesticides in Farmed Atlantic Salmon from Maine, Eastern Canada, and Norway, and Wild Salmon from Alaska

Abstract

Farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from Maine and eastern Canada, wild Alaskan Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and organically farmed Norwegian salmon samples were analyzed for the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin-like PCBs, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzo-p-furans (PCDFs), and chlorinated pesticides. PCDD and PCDF congeners were not detected in > 80% of the samples analyzed. Total PCB concentrations (7.2-29.5 ng/g, wet weight, ww) in the farmed salmon were significantly higher than those in the wild Alaskan Chinook samples (3.9-8.1 ng/g, ww). Concentrations of PCBs, WHO PCB TEQs, and chlorinated pesticides varied significantly by region. PCB and WHO PCB TEQ concentrations in farmed salmon from eastern Canada were lower than those reported in samples collected two years earlier, possibly reflecting recent industry efforts to lower contaminant concentrations in feed. Organically farmed Norwegian salmon had the highest concentrations of PCBs (mean: 27 ng/g, ww) and WHO PCB TEQs (2.85 pg/g,ww); their TEQ values are in the higher range of those reported in farmed salmon from around the world. Removal of skin from salmon fillets resulted in highly variable reductions of lipids and contaminants, and in some skin-off samples, contaminant levels were higher, suggesting that skin removal does not protect the consumer from health risks associated with consumption of farmed salmon.

Lipid and fatty acid composition, and persistent organic pollutant levels in tissues of migrating Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, L.) broodstock

“…The importance of identifying and labelling fish products in terms of risk and benefits, together with region of origin, has been suggested in order to allow consumer based choices and avoid unnecessary exposure to highly contaminated fish (Shaw et al, 2006 Although unlikely that all fish would be of ABT origin, ABT is estimated to contribute 67% of the total TEQ intake (Bocio et al, 2007 Dewailly, E., Blanchet, C., Gingras, S., Lemieux, S., Sauvé, L., Bergeron, J., Holub, B.J.,…”

Functional properties of the four Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) aryl hydrocarbon receptor type 2 (AHR2) isoforms

“…Many of these chemicals occur at elevated levels in farmed and wild salmon (Isosaari et al 2006;Jacobs et al 2002;Shaw et al 2006). Studies on various salmonid species have identified several tissues as primary targets for TCDD-induced pathologic lesions (e.g.…”

The Kuril Islands as a Potential Region for Aquaculture: Organochlorine Pesticides in Pink and Chum Salmon

“…Currently, farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) constitutes a significant portion of the world's salmon market [15]. Pesticides content in organs of these fish is strictly controlled; nevertheless, pollution of its habitat causes toxicants to accumulate in aquaculture objects [16].…”