Brominated dioxins and dibenzofurans in human adipose tissue. Final report

The report describes the analytical efforts for the determination of polybrominated dioxins (PBDDs) and furans (PBDFs) in human adipose tissues. Data on the precision and accuracy of the method for three tetra- through hexabrominated dioxins and three tetra- through hexabrominated furans (specific 2,3,7,8-substituted isomers) were generated from the analysis of 5 unspiked and 10 spiked (5 replicates at 2 spike levels) adipose tissue samples that were included with the analysis of the FY 1987 samples. In addition, data are presented on the results of the analysis of 48 composite samples for the six specific PBDD and PBDF compounds. The targeted 2,3,7,8-substituted PBDDs and PBDFs were not detected in any of the samples except those prepared as spiked QC materials. The detection limits calculated for the tetrabromo congeners in the samples ranged from 0.46 to 8.9 pg/g (lipid basis). The detection limits for the higher brominated congeners were typically greater than that observed for the tetrabrominated compounds. There is some evidence for the presence of other brominated compounds in the adipose tissue samples. Specifically, responses were noted that correspond to the qualitative criteria for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (hexa through octabromo).