Polycyclic musk fragrances in fish samples from Berlin waterways, Germany

The contamination of different fish species by polycyclic musks [Galaxolide(R) (HHCB), Tonalide(R) (AHTN), Celestolide(R) (ADBI), Phantolide(R) (AHMI), and Traesolide(R) (ATII)] within the framework of an exposure monitoring programme are reported. A total of 341 fish samples were taken from three waterways in Berlin known to be contaminated to different extents with sewage. The mean levels of musk fragrance compounds reported on a whole weight basis in fish samples were as follows for the most common polycyclic compound, HHCB, in samples (taken from edible parts) of eel caught in waters strongly polluted with sewage levels were 1513 mu /kg (6471 mug/kg lipid) (AHTN: 726 mug/kg and from slightly polluted waters 52 mug/kg (445 mug/kg lipid) (AHTN: only one value above the detection limit). Median concentrations in fish samples were: perch 200 mug/kg (33.3 mg/kg lipid) common bream 1571 mug/kg (90.1 mg/kg lipid), roach 168 mug/kg (13.0 mg/kg lipid), pike 366 and 370 mug/kg (66.5 and 61.7 mg/kg lipid) and for pike perch 190 mug/kg (47.3 mg/kg lipid). ADBI, AHMI and ATII could be determined only in low concentrations (<10% of the total contents of polycyclics in eel). Clear concentration differences were seen between fish samples from waters contaminated at different levels within the programme of biomonitoring. This demonstrated that polycyclic musks are a very good indicator of the level of contamination of a waterway with sewage. Human exposure to these musk fragrances from consumption of contaminated fish was estimated to be low in comparison to direct dermal absorption from the use of fragrance products.