Extensive Literature Search, Selection for Relevance and Data Extraction of Studies Related to the Toxicity of PCDD/Fs and DL‐PCBs in Experimental Animals

Abstract

Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) are detected ubiquitously in the environment, diet and human tissues. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) CONTAM Panel received a mandate from the European Commission for a scientific opinion on the risks for human and animal health related to the presence of dioxins and DL-PCBs in food and feed. To support preparatory work for the hazard identification and characterisation steps in the human risk assessment, EFSA outsourced an extensive literature search (ELS) followed by relevance assessment and data extraction to wca environment Ltd. In agreement with EFSA's requirements, wca developed two tailored search strategies to retrieve studies pertinent to the toxicity of the seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted dioxins (PCDDs) and furans (PCDFs) and twelve DL-PCBs in experimental animals. The extensive literature search retrieved 4,544 and 559 articles in Web of Science and PubMed, respectively. 182 duplicates were found between databases. A total of 4,921 articles were imported into DistillerSR?. Relevant papers were selected on the basis of eligibility screening, in duplicate by two experienced toxicologists. Predefined relevant information was extracted from 272 references in the DistillerSR? database