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5156497 
Journal Article 
The contribution of margarine to cancer risk from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the New Zealand diet 
Thomson, B; Lake, R; Lill, R 
1996 
Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds
ISSN: 1040-6638
EISSN: 1563-5333 
Taylor and Francis Ltd. 
11 
1-4 
177-184 
English 
Sixteen samples of New Zealand table margarines were analysed for 16 EPA priority pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. All samples contained measurable amounts of PAH and six samples contained more than 10 μg/kg total PAH. The estimated exposure to eight potentially carcinogenic PAH from margarine was 0.002-0.7 μg/day for males and 0.001-0.4 μg/day for females. Based on New Zealand food consumption data and United Kingdom analytical results for eight potentially carcinogenic PAH, the mean daily intake of dietary PAH for New Zealanders is estimated at 1.2 μg/day. The lifetime cancer risk from total ingested PAH is estimated to be 7.5 in 10,000 (7.5 × 10-4). Margarine is calculated to contribute 2% of this risk based on benzo(a)pyrene levels. 
margarine; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; diet; cancer risk