Human Exposure - Magnitude and Relative Significance of Pathways

7 Human Exposure - Magnitude and Relative Significance of Pathways 

In a number of studies, intake of BFRs from consumption of fish and shellfish have been shown to form a significant (or the dominant) part of the total dietary intake. In a US study, 

The study by Hites et al. (2004) of BDEs in farmed and wild salmon promoted discussions regarding the consumption of fatty fish. The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are clear, but the consumption of (especially) farmed fish exposes consumers to higher intakes of lipophilic contaminants (including BDEs) and so presumably to an additional health risk (Law et al, 2006a). The development of less contaminated feeds for use in salmon farms may be a way of reducing this risk. 

Covaci et al. (2007b) also studied BDEs in fish oil dietary supplements. Despite being taken daily, the authors concluded that their consumption did not significantly increase daily intakes of BDEs. The median daily intake from dietary supplements was 8 and 16 times lower than the intake from fish consumption alone or from a total diet, respectively. 

Trudel et al. (2007) studied dietary exposure with the aim of understanding why concentrations in human milk from North America are 10 to 100 times higher than in Europe. The range of exposure for infants in North America was 8-800 ng/kg body weight/ day, while in Europe it was 1-130 ng/kg body weight/day. Infants had the highest exposures, followed by toddlers and children. Teenagers and adults had the lowest exposures. 

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