Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) and shrimps (Pandalus borealis) are regular foodstuffs for communities in northern Norway and important species for the coastal fishing industry. This is the first study to present a comprehensive overview of the contaminant status of these species, with emphasis on unregulated perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS). The contaminant concentrations were low and within tolerable levels for human dietary exposure. Median Σpolychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were 4.9 and 2.5ng/g ww for halibut and unpeeled shrimps, respectively. Concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) - the most abundant PFASs - were 0.9 and 2.7ng/g ww in halibut and shrimp, respectively. The halibut fillets were dominated by PCBs, which contributed to 50% of the total POPs load, followed by ΣDDTs; 26% and PFASs (18%), whereas shrimps were dominated by PFASs (74%). ΣPBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) contributed to 1-4% of the total POP load. Local sources are not contributing significantly to the contaminant burden in these species.

• MeSH
• Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• Diet statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Fluorocarbons metabolism   MeSH
• Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• Food Contamination statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Alkanesulfonic Acids analysis   metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Flounder metabolism   MeSH
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls analysis   MeSH
• Seafood statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Fishes MeSH
• Environmental Exposure statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Norway MeSH

In 2011 and 2012, the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects performed the first ever harmonized human biomonitoring survey in 17 European countries. In more than 1800 mother-child pairs, individual lifestyle data were collected and cadmium, cotinine and certain phthalate metabolites were measured in urine. Total mercury was determined in hair samples. While the main goal of the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin projects was to develop and test harmonized protocols and procedures, the goal of the current paper is to investigate whether the observed differences in biomarker values among the countries implementing DEMOCOPHES can be interpreted using information from external databases on environmental quality and lifestyle. In general, 13 countries having implemented DEMOCOPHES provided high-quality data from external sources that were relevant for interpretation purposes. However, some data were not available for reporting or were not in line with predefined specifications. Therefore, only part of the external information could be included in the statistical analyses. Nonetheless, there was a highly significant correlation between national levels of fish consumption and mercury in hair, the strength of antismoking legislation was significantly related to urinary cotinine levels, and we were able to show indications that also urinary cadmium levels were associated with environmental quality and food quality. These results again show the potential of biomonitoring data to provide added value for (the evaluation of) evidence-informed policy making.

• MeSH
• Biomarkers analysis   urine   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Data Interpretation, Statistical MeSH
• Cadmium analysis   urine   MeSH
• Cotinine urine   MeSH
• Smoking legislation & jurisprudence   urine   MeSH
• Environmental Pollutants analysis   urine   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Urban Population statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Environmental Monitoring methods   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Seafood statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires standards   MeSH
• Mercury analysis   urine   MeSH
• Rural Population statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Government Regulation MeSH
• Hair chemistry   MeSH
• Environmental Exposure analysis   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH