Average Swedish dietary intakes of organochlorine contaminants via foods of animal origin and their relation to levels in human milk, 1975–90

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Abstract
The organochlorine contaminant (OCC) data generated by the Swedish National Food Administration (NFA) since 1973 has been utilized to calculate average Swedish dietary intakes. Direct food consumption statistics based on the yearly per capita Swedish consumption of five principal food groups has been used with OCC levels over 5‐year periods, up to 1992. The present study shows the decline in OCC dietary intakes between 1975 and 1990. It is suggested that this is principally because of a decline in OCC concentrations in foods of animal origin rather than because of changes in food consumption patterns. The estimated intakes for the DDT complex, HCH isomers, dieldrin and HCB are generally well below the ADIs established by FAO/WHO. For total PCBs, no such ADI/TDI has been set up, either by FAO/WHO or in a Nordic PCB risk assessment. However, when compared with a US FDA guideline, the average Swedish total PCB dietary intake in 1990 is approximately 10‐fold lower. Finally, this study shows the good relationship between OCC dietary intakes via foods of animal origin and the concentrations measured on a fat weight basis in Swedish human milk.