Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of 209 chemically related substances (congeners) differing in the number and position of chlorine atoms attached to the biphenyl molecule. The toxicity of individual congeners is different, it is expressed by the equivalent toxicity factor related to the effect of dioxin 2,3,7,8-TCDD. PCBs belong to the hormonally active substances that can disrupt the hormonal system. These endocrine disruptors can cause cancer, birth defects and other developmental disorders. The sources of dietary intake of PCBs are mainly animal products: fish, meat and dairy products. The content of these substances in breast milk is an indicator according to which the burden of PCBs on the human body can be assessed.
Determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in food, beverages, dietary supplements, crops, bioindicators, water, sediments, and leachates is performed by GC-MS method.
Chlorinated paraffins
Determination of chlorinated alkanes (SCCPs and MCCPs) in foods, oils, milk, tissues and body fluids, articles of common use, soils, sediments, dusts and textiles is carried out by GC-MS method.
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs)
Determination of brominated flame retardants, their derivatives and metabolites in food, beverages, dietary supplements, crops, bioindicators, water, sediments, leachates and plastics is carried out by GC-MS (GC-MS/NCI) or LC-MS method.
Perfluoroalkylated compounds (PFAS)
The determination of (per)fluoroalkylated compounds (PFAS) in food, beverages, dietary supplements, crops, water, sediments, biological samples and technical fluids is performed by LC-MS. The results are mostly evaluated according to the Regulation 2023/915/EU on maximum limits for contaminants in foodstuffs or Directive 2184/2020/EU on the quality of (drinking) water.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds composed of two or more condensed aromatic nuclei and containing only carbon and hydrogen. They are mainly formed by the incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic matter, especially in the combustion of fossil fuels. In the food industry they are also formed as process contaminants, e.g. during smoking, grilling, roasting, smoke drying, etc. A typical representative of PAHs is benzo(a)pyrene, but up to 15 other compounds out of more than about 100 representatives of this group are routinely monitored in food and the environment according to legislation. Among the most serious effects of PAHs is their carcinogenicity, which increases with increasing number of nuclei, reaching a maximum for hydrocarbons with five condensed nuclei.
The determination of PAHs is carried out by HPLC-FLD or GC-MS methods mainly in food, beverages and water, food raw materials, vegetable oils, food supplements, novel foods, baby and infant formula, meals and feeds. We also determine PAHs in waste sludge, sediments and soils, dust and air samples (PUFs) by HPLC-FLD within the scope of accreditation. We evaluate the results according to the criteria of Regulation 2023/915/EU on maximum limits for contaminants in foodstuffs, or according to Directive 2184/2020/EU on the quality of (drinking) water or Government Regulation 401/2015 on indicators of permissible pollution of surface and waste water or Decree 153/2016 on the protection of agricultural soil quality.