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Concentrations of some toxic (Hg, Cd, Pb) and essential metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Fe) relevant to human health were determined in different varieties of traditional cheeses, included in Traditional Agricultural Food Products (TAP) list, sampled in various farms in Apulia and Sicily, two regions of Southern Italy. Among toxic metals, Pb showed the highest concentrations (hard cheese: 0.13 μg g−1 w.w.; fresh cheese: 0.07 μg g−1 w.w.), while among essential element the most abundant was Fe (hard cheese: 2.86 μg g−1 w.w.; fresh cheese: 2.23 μg g−1 w.w.). In terms of food safety, the toxic metal concentrations in the majority of the samples investigated were below the maximum permitted levels set by several non-European countries, except for Pb showing levels notably exceeding in some hard cheese (0.22–0.37 μg g−1 w.w.). Also the estimated intakes of toxic metals remained far below the provisional tolerable intakes and consequently no health risk is expected from the consumption of these cheeses. However, for greater food safety, besides to a continuous surveillance it would be advisable to establish maximum limits for metals either in milk or products made of milk.

The concentrations of nine trace elements (Hg, Cd, Pb, V, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu and Zn) were determined in sixteen fish species collected in commercial centers of South Italy. Additionally, the assessment of risk indices (Hazard Quotient, Hazard Index, Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk) through the consumption of various fish species were estimated in different age groups. The concentrations fell under the maximum permissible levels (MPLs) for human consumption recommended by European Union, with an only exception regarding Cd, which exceeded the tolerable value in Atlantic bluefin tuna samples. The estimated weekly intakes of metals, all below Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWIs), were in the following decreasing order: children > teenagers > adults > elders. The estimated hazard quotient (HQ) of Hg being above or close to 1 indicated a high probability of experiencing non-carcinogenic health risks, while the noncarcinogenic threats associated with exposure to other metals were insignificant (

PCBs including “indicator” and “dioxin-like” congeners were measured in a marine gastropod, Hexaplex trunculus, from Mediterranean areas exposed to anthropogenic pressure, to evaluate their compliance with European Union (EU) legislation. Total PCB concentrations showed location-dependent variation, and were higher in samples from Ionian Sea-Taranto (1001 ng g−1 lipid weight) compared with those from Adriatic Sea-Bari (519 ng g−1 lipid weight) and Adriatic-Sea-Brindisi (253 ng g−1 lipid weight). All sample concentrations were compliant with EU regulation limits for the sum of six “indicator” PCBs (Ionian Sea-Taranto: 40.7 ng g−1 wet weight; Adriatic Sea-Bari: 24.0 ng g−1 wet weight; Adriatic Sea-Brindisi: 11.0 ng g−1 wet weight). Also “dioxin-like” PCBs content expressed as toxic equivalent (TEQ) values, in samples from Adriatic Sea (Adriatic Sea-Bari: 2.48 pg WHO-TEQ/g wet weight; Adriatic Sea-Brindisi: 2.14 pg WHO-TEQ/g wet weight), were below the limit, while the specimens from the Ionian Sea (Ionian Sea-Taranto: 3.53 pg WHO-TEQ/g wet weight) showed levels exceeding the maximum threshold.

Concentrations of 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and toxic metals (Hg, Cd and Pb) were measured in three fish species [(Raja miraletus (brown ray), Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis (megrim) and Lophius piscatorius (angler)] from Mediterranean Sea (Adriatic Sea). No significant difference in PAHs and metal concentrations was encountered among the fish species examined. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 209.9 ng g−1 wet weight to 227.2 ng g−1 wet weight. Low-molecular weight (two and three rings) PAHs were observed dominating over the high molecular weight (from four to six rings) PAHs. With regard to metals, Hg exhibited the highest concentrations (0.68–0.98 μg g−1 weight wet), followed by Pb (0.08–0.12 μg g−1 weight wet) and Cd (0.05–0.10 μg g−1 weight wet). The health risks by consumption of these species were assessed and did not present threat to public health concerning PAH, Pb and Cd intakes. However, the estimated exposure from Hg illustrates the importance of limiting the dietary consumption of larger-sized fish.

Concentrations and congener specific profiles of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs were determined in various edible fish from the Adriatic Sea. PCBs were the dominant chemicals (116–1980 ng g −1 lipid wt), followed by PCDFs (ND-58.3 pg g −1 lipid wt) and PCDDs (ND-20 pg g −1 lipid wt). The levels of these contaminants varied among species. Benthic organisms possessed the highest concentrations, followed by demersal and pelagic fish species. PCB and PCDD/F accumulation pattern in the samples analysed showed a distribution typically reported for marine samples. The mean weekly intake of toxic equivalency (TEQ) was estimated to be 0.84 pg TEQs/kg bw/week. The dioxin-like PCBs accounted for more than 77% of this intake, followed by PCDDs (15.5%) and PCDFs (13.1%). In general, the samples analysed in this survey can be considered safe with regard to the levels obtained and the in-force legislation, nevertheless the consumption of some species may be of significance importance for consumer health.

PCB and DDT concentrations were determined in the adipose tissue of cats and dogs from Southern Italy. In cats p,p'-DDE was the most abundant DDT component (95.0%), while in dogs these compounds were absent, except in two specimens. PCB concentrations were higher in cats (199.02 ng g(-1) lipid weight) than in dogs (41.61 ng g(-1) lipid weight). Also there were inter-specific differences in the contribution of the different congeners to PCBs, although PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 were the most representative congeners in both species. Animals from one location, Taranto City, had significantly elevated concentrations of dioxin-like PCBs compared to the other locations. Consequently the estimated mean 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalents (TEQs) of coplanar PCBs were higher in these animals (cats: 0.65 pg g(-1) lipid weight; dogs 0.29 pg g(-1) lipid weight) than in the other ones (cats: 0.12 pg g(-1) lipid weight; dogs: 0.001 pg g(-1) lipid weight).

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and OCP concentrations were determined in the livers of two deep-sea fish species, roughsnout grenadier and hollowsnout grenadier, from the Adriatic Sea. In both species, contaminant concentrations were in the following order: PCBs>DDTs>>HCB. Contaminant load was higher in roughsnout grenadier (PCB: 12,327 ng g −1 ; DDTs: 5357 ng g −1 ; HCB: 13.1 ng g −1 ) than in hollowsnout grenadier (PCB: 1234 ng g −1 ; DDTs: 763 ng g −1 ; HCB 6.3 ng g −1 ). PCB patterns were dominated by higher chlorinated congeners (hexa-CBs: 50.3–52.1%, hepta-CBs: 29.6–35.5%, penta-CBs: 8.0–11.1% and octa-CBs :5.2–5.4%). PCBs 138, 153 180 and 187 were the most abundant. Regarding the DDT pattern, p , p′ -DDE was prevalent in both species (roughsnout grenadier: 99.7%, hollowsnout grenadier: 90%), suggesting no recent DDT input. In both species, the total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations (roughsnout grenadier: mean 43.77 pg/g, hollowsnout grenadier: mean 20.49 pg/g), calculated from non- and mono- ortho PCBs, reached those encountered in marine organisms at higher levels in the trophic chain.

The concentration levels and pattern distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (DDTs), were investigated in liver of small size specimens of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from Mediterranean Sea (Ionian Sea). PCB concentrations (average: 526 ng g−1 lipid wt) were comparable with DDT levels (average: 435 ng g−1 lipid wt). The specific analysis of PCB congeners revealed a profile dominated by hexa-, penta- and heptachlorinated congeners, while among DDTs, the compounds with the higher concentration was p,p'-DDE, constituting 91.9% of the total DDT. The total 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalent (TEQs) of coplanar PCBs, including mono- and non-ortho congeners, was 0.55 pg g−1 wet weight with. The congeners with highest TEQs values were non-ortho congeners followed by mono-ortho ones. Keywords: PCBs, DDTs, TEQs, Bluefin tuna

Polychlorinated biphenyls including coplanar congeners and DDT compounds were measured in different organs and tissues (liver, kidney, lung and muscle tissue) of loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The highest levels of these compounds were found in liver (PCBs: 52.32 ng/g; DDTs: 18.27 ng/g), followed by kidney (PCBs: 19.05 ng/g; DDTs: 5.70 ng/g), lung (PCBs: 12.75 ng/g; DDTs: 3.76 ng/g ) and muscle tissue (PCBs: 4.65 ng/g; DDTs: 1.45 ng/g). PCBs revealed a profile dominated by hexa-, penta- and hepta-chlorinated congeners, while among DDTs, the compound in the greatest concentration was p,p'-DDE, (liver: 85.2%, kidney: 93.6%, lung: 86.4%, muscle tissue: 93.2%). The estimated toxic equivalents (pg TEQs/g wet wt) of non- and mono-ortho PCBs were in the range of 1.54-5.86 pg TEQs/g wet wt. Non-ortho coplanar PCB 77 accounted for more than 90% of the total TEQs leaving to mono-ortho only 2.6-6.2%.

The muscle tissue of eels was analysed for metals (Hg, Cd, Cu and Zn), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (DDTs) to ascertain whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum levels fixed by the European Commission. Zinc showed the highest concentrations (mean: 20.2 μg g−1 wet wt), followed by copper (mean: 0.58 μg g−1 wet wt), mercury (mean: 0.18 μg g−1 wet wt) and cadmium (mean: 0.03 μg g−1 wet wt). None of the fish samples analysed presented metal concentrations exceeding the proposed limits. Among the organochlorine pesticides, only p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDT were found with mean values of 19.2 and 3.0 ng g−1 wet wt, respectively, while mean concentrations of PCBs were 94.0 ng g−1 wet wt. With regard to DDT and its metabolites the concentrations were well below the maximum residue limit (MRL), while the mean PCB concentrations, calculated as the sum of the seven “target” congeners indicated by the European Union, exceeded the established limit. From an ecotoxicological point of view, the concentrations of metals and organochlorine compounds reflect a comparatively clean and pollution-free environment. These concentrations may be, thus, considered as useful background levels to which to refer for comparison within the Adriatic Sea.

Persistent organochlorines, such as polychlorinated biphenyls including coplanar congeners and DDT compounds were measured in the liver of different species of mollusc cephalopods: broadtail squid (Illex coindetii), horned octopus (Eledone moschata) and spider octopus (Octopus salutii) collected in two different areas of the Adriatic Sea (central and southern Adriatic Sea). The concentration of PCBs exceeded DDT ones in horned octopus (PCBs: 617.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight, DDTs: 188.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight) and in spider octopus (PCBs: 590.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight, DDTs: 293.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight), while in broadtail squid PCB load (748.0 ngg(-1) lipid weight) was similar to those of DDTs (514.5 ngg(-1) lipid weight). No significant difference in PCB levels was observed among species, while DDT concentrations were higher in broadtail squid than in horned octopus and spider octopus. DDTs composition showed slight differences in relation to species, thought p,p'-DDE was the predominant compound in all cephalopod species (broadtail squid: 88.1%, horned octopus 94.1%, spider octopus: 97.5%). PCB isomer profiles were similar among species being hexachlorinated isomers the most abundant, followed by penta- and heptachlorobiphenyls, while tri- and tetrachlorobiphenyls made up a small percentage of the total PCB residues. Regarding coplanar congeners, non-ortho PCBs were below the detection limit in all samples and the 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations were very low. The influence of biological and ecological factors (size/weight and location) on the bioaccumulation of organochlorine compounds has been discussed.