HEXABROMOCYCLODODECANE (HBCD) IN EGG YOLKS FROM MARKET BOUND CANADIAN CHICKEN EGGS

摘要

Eggs from three regions of Canada were collected at grading stations and analysed for a number of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including the flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). Four categories of eggs (conventional, omega-3 enriched, organic, free range) were collected from all regions of Canada, while free run eggs were collected from two regions based on availability. At least one isomer of HBCD was detected in the majority (85 %) of the 162 egg yolks analysed from all regions of Canada. In general, α–HBCD was detected the most frequently (83%) and was the dominant contributor to ΣHBCD levels. γ-HBCD was observed in 27% of the eggs tested and β-HBCD was detected in only 9% of the samples. ΣHBCD concentrations in the yolks ranged from below the limits of detection to 1110 ng/g lipid. Of the categories tested, the highest ΣHBCD concentrations (3.36 - 1110 ng/g lipid) were observed in organic egg yolks from the Maritime region, although organic eggs from other regions of Canada had similar concentrations to other egg types (