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IPEN

A Toxics-Free Future

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Mexico Eggs Report

Egg sampling for by-product POPs in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico.

As part of the larger "Global Egg Study," free-range chicken eggs were collected in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz Mexico and examined for unintentionally produced POPs, or U-POPs. Eggs were collected within 2 km of the government-owned "Pajaritos Petrochemical Complex" and showed high levels of dioxins and hexachlorobenzene, as well as elevated levels of PCBs. Dioxin levels were 6 times higher than the EU limit and as much as 19 times higher than background levels. Hexachlorobenzene levels were high, and the eggs also exceeded the proposed EU limit for PCBs by 1.5 fold. The principle cause of the contamination is alleged to be the Pajaritos petrochemical complex, where vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is used as an intermediate for PVC plastic production and where wastes are incinerated. The data represents a first-of-its-kind study analysis of POPs, dioxin and PCBS in any food in the region in Mexico.

Outputs:
First-of-a-kind study/analysis of POPs, dioxin and DDT in chicken eggs in Mexico

Country: 
Organization: 
Organización y Desarrollo Social and Red de Acción sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México (RAPAM)