Benzo[a]pyrene in Composite Prepared Meals: Results from the THEES (Total Human Exposure to Environmental Substances) Study

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Abstract
As part of the Total Human Exposure to Environmental Substances (THEES) Study, weekly composites of in-home prepared meals from approximately ten individuals for each of three two-week “campaigns” were analyzed for benzo[a]pyrene content. In addition, daily composites for four individuals during the third “campaign” (THEES III) were analyzed. The analytical technique employs alcoholic KOH saponification of food samples, extraction, column chromatography on florisil and TLC chromatography on 20% acetylated cellulose and detection/quantitation using fluorescence. Limit of detection and sample recovery data are presented in addition to the meal data. B[a]P levels in food are highly variable but are frequently high enough to make contributions which exceed inhalation exposure.