Samples of striped bass, crabs and lobsters were collected in Newark Bay and the New York Bight. The fish muscle and the hepatopancreas and meat from the crabs were subjected to congener specific analysis. All samples were found to be contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD and a series of other highly hazardous 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners as well as less hazardous PCDDs and PCDFs. A value exceeding 6000 ppt wet tissue weight of 2,3,7,8-tetraCDD was found in a sample of crab hepatopancreas, which seems to be the highest value so far reported in a food product. The crab meat, on the other hand, contained only 100 ppt. In general the crustaceans contained many congeners, while the fish samples contained only 2,3,7,8-substituted compounds. An unknown compound, possibly a tetrachlorodibenzothiophene, was the dominating peak in most of the crustacean samples.

Chlorophenols are transformedin vitro to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/ Fs) by peroxidase-catalyzed oxidations. This is demonstrated with bovine lactoperoxidase as well as horseradish peroxidase, and with 3,4,5- and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TrCP). The yield of total PCDD/Fs with lactoperoxidase was 11 μg per g 345-TrCP and 10 μg per g 245-TrCP, of which 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs constituted 8.5 and 2.2 μg/g, respectively, corresponding to 0.85 and 1.2 μg/g of Nordic TCDD-equivalents.

Numerous instances of human exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p- dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have been documented. Following the development of sufficiently specific and sensitive analytical methods during the past few years, many reports have appeared on PCDD and PCDF levels in human blood and adipose tissues. Studies have examined the PCDD and PCDF levels resulting from accidental and occupational exposures of various groups, including chemical plant workers, forestry and tannery workers, and Niet Nam veterans who had handled Agent Orange. The general background levels in the US, Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, and Sweden were also determined. The results of these studies indicate that a background level of PCDDs and PCDFs is present in the overall population. In some cases, individuals exposed to specific PCDDs or PCDFs exhibit higher levels than the general population. Isomer distribution patterns are relatively consistent and indicative of sources and metabolism. This paper reviews the available data on human PCDD and PCDF levels in exposed and general populations. 15 refs., 4 figs.