Humans are exposed to PCBs through the consumption of fatty products of animal origin: fish, meat and dairy products. The entire French population is exposed to tiny amounts of PCBs through general food. These chemical compounds potentially dangerous for humans in the long term may be present in certain fish from French rivers. The results of the investigation will be known in February 2011.
This survey involves 900 homes of amateur fishermen in six fishing areas contaminated or not by PCBs. The levels of PCBs in the blood and the dietary habits of consumers and non-consumers of river fish will be analyzed.
The level of contamination of river fish will also be measured. The survey carried out over several months should lead to recommendations as to the frequency of safe consumption for humans. These will be defined according to fish species and target population and will be available in February 2011.
This study funded by the Ministry of Health is part of the action plan on PCBs launched in February 2008 by the ministries of Ecology, Agriculture and Health.
