Dioxin Analysis

Threats in the Food Chain: Detection of Dioxins, PCBs and Furans

What is Dioxin?

 Dioxins are chlorinated organic compounds often associated with environmental pollution. Chlorine and bromine can lead to the formation of harmful by-products such as dioxins, especially when they interact with organic compounds. These interactions become particularly pronounced during high temperatures or chemical reactions. Chlorine-containing compounds in particular can lead to the formation of harmful dioxin species such as polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs).

Furans, similar to dioxins, structurally have two benzol rings, but this time instead of oxygen, they have a furan ring attached to benzene rings. Furans, like dioxins, are formed in high temperature and chlorine-containing environments.

Monitoring and control of these substances is of great importance for food safety and environmental protection.

Dioxin Formation: Sources, Processes and Risk of Contamination

These compounds are toxic, carcinogenic and genetically damaging substances that pose serious health risks. Dioxins pose a major health risk as they are released into the environment and accumulate in biological systems. Dioxins

• They are formed especially during the combustion of organic matter at high temperatures.
• Dioxins are often formed during the production of pesticides, garbage incineration, industrial processes or the combustion of fossil fuels. Chlorine-based pesticides are particularly at risk. Sometimes high temperatures can also be used in the production of chlorinated compounds (such as DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), lindane, Chlorpyrifos-methyl). Most of these pesticides are produced by reacting chlorine compounds at high temperature and can lead to the formation of dioxins.
• Dioxins can accumulate in the aquatic environment and accumulate on aquatic organisms (fish, seafood).
• In livestock farming, animals can accumulate dioxins through contact with dioxin-containing feed or the environment. Humans can be exposed to dioxins through farm products (especially animal products) through meat, eggs and dairy products.
• Dioxins can become airborne and travel long distances as a result of industrial activities and combustion.
• Dioxins can remain in the soil for a long time and reach humans through agricultural products and plants grown in this soil. There is no limit for vegetable products and vegetables in the TGK Regulation on Contaminants, but they can be analyzed.
• Dioxin formation from pesticides is possible through stubble burning. Stubble burning is a method used to clean plant residues in agricultural areas. However, during this process, especially the burning of organic materials at high temperatures can lead to the formation of harmful chemical compounds. One of these compounds is dioxins.
• In packaged foods, dioxin can pass through the ingredients (such as oil, cocoa, milk, eggs) even in small amounts.

What are the Health and Environmental Effects of Dioxins?

Environmental Spread: Dioxins can persist in nature for a long time and can spread through soil, water and air. Dioxins belong to the group of chlorinated organic compounds and can be released during the combustion of chlorine-containing substances, especially in industrial processes.

The most well-known type of dioxins is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). These compounds are extremely hazardous as long-term exposure, even at low concentrations, can lead to a variety of health problems. Dioxins tend to accumulate in nature over very long periods of time and can be passed to humans through the food chain.

Dioxins have negative health effects,

• Weakening of the immune system
• Liver damage
• Reproductive health problems
• Cancer
• Skin diseases

such as the negative effects. Dioxins are therefore of great importance in terms of environmental regulations and industrial controls.

Why Should Dioxin Analysis Be Performed?

Dioxins remain in nature for a long time, causing environmental pollution. They can continue to accumulate in the bodies of living organisms, especially through the food chain. Animals accumulate dioxins in fatty tissue, which can lead to their transfer to humans. Dioxins and dioxin analogs can persist in soil for a long time and can be transferred to humans from agricultural products.

This is why there are strict regulations and controls around the world on the production and spread of dioxins. Our team analyzes 7 Dioxins, 10 Furans and 18 PCB (Chlorinated biphenyl) compounds that are legally limited.

In foods; Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Contaminants and EPA 1613 method and in feeds; Communiqué on Unwanted Substances in Feeds (Communiqué No: 2014/11) and TS EN 16215 method are used.

In Which Foods Is Dioxin Analysis Performed?

 These analyses are frequently performed on foods of animal origin, such as fish, meat, dairy products and eggs, as they tend to accumulate in fatty tissues. Some vegetable oils and cereals may also contain these contaminants.

Dioxin Assessment

Pollutants such as dioxins (PCDD), dioxin-like PCBs (PCB, polychlorinated biphenyls) and furans (PCDF) have serious environmental and human health impacts. The toxic effects of these substances are assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with specific "toxic equivalence factors" (TEF). These factors determine the toxic effects of each compound by comparing it to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). TCDD is the most toxic of such compounds and is considered to have a TEF value of 1. Dioxin active and TEF values are available in the table below:

What is the Scope of Determination of Dioxin in Nanolab Food Laboratory?

Food (Foods Based on Wet Weight), Food Additives and Food Supplements, Aquaculture, Infant Formulas, Infant and Young Child Supplementary Food, Follow-on Formulas	Total Analysis of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like PCBs
Feed and Feed Additives	Total Analysis of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like PCBs

Total Dioxins (WHO PCDD/FTEQ) Analysis	EPA 1613 EPA 1668
Total Dioxin and Dioxin-Like PCBs (WHO PCDD/F/PCB-TEQ) Analysis - GC MS/MS Method	EPA 1613 EPA 1668

Why Work With Us?

Dioxin analysis can be performed in laboratories with specialized training and high-precision tests. We carry out our studies with GC-MSMS device in our special laboratory conditions for dioxin analysis in order to perform the analyzes accurately and safely. It aims to create trust by introducing our services and expertise to our potential customers:

• Specialization and Experience

Dioxin analysis is a process that requires high precision and expertise. Our experienced staff performs these critical analyzes accurately and reliably.

• Reliable Analyses

With our experienced and TÜRKAK accredited laboratories, we have been successfully providing dioxin analysis services for years. In dioxin analysis, tests are usually performed using specific reference samples or certified reference materials. We also support the safety of our tests with proficiency tests prepared by the National Food Reference Laboratory (UGRL).