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This research project will validate and develop the analytical methods for and investigate the occurrence of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polychlorinated short, medium and long chain paraffins (CPs) in various foods.
Background:<BR> PCNs have been detected in fish and human milk in other countries, while CPs have occasionally been detected in fish, but there is currently no UK data for either group. The chemicals are known to be toxic, and certain PCN congeners may be included in a future revision to the Toxic Equivalency Factors for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs scheme.
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Research Approach:<BR>An existing analytical method for PCNs will be validated for additional congeners, and a new method developed for CPs, in five test samples. Further samples encompassing a variety of foodstuffs will be analysed for PCNs and CPs to investigate their occurrence in UK foods.
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.