Table 1. Mean Dioxin Exposure from Beef, Based on Beef Consumption
 

Beef 

consumption 

amount 

Mean beef 

TEQ 

amount 

Fat % in 

non-lean

beef 

Mean exposure, 

 non-lean beef 

Comparison of 

non-lean beef 

to the RfD* 

Fat % in 

lean 

beef

Mean exposure, 

lean beef

Comparison of 

 lean beef 

 to the RfD* 

Units (g/kg-day) (pg/g) (pg/kg-bw-day) (pg/kg-bw-day) 

1 Value 2 Value 3 Value 4 Calculation 5 Comparison 3 Value 6 Calculation 5 Comparison 

Whole population 0.77 0.659 19.24% 0.098 0.139 6.16% 0.031 0.045

Birth to 1 0.34 0.659 19.24% 0.043 0.062 6.16% 0.014 0.020

1-2 years 1.38 0.659 19.24% 0.175 0.250 6.16% 0.056 0.080

3-5 years 1.42 0.659 19.24% 0.180 0.257 6.16% 0.058 0.082

6-12 years 1.11 0.659 19.24% 0.141 0.201 6.16% 0.045 0.064

13-19 years 0.83 0.659 19.24% 0.105 0.150 6.16% 0.034 0.048

20-49 years 0.73 0.659 19.24% 0.093 0.132 6.16% 0.030 0.042

Females 13-49 0.6 0.659 19.24% 0.076 0.109 6.16% 0.024 0.035

50 years and older 0.58 0.659 19.24% 0.074 0.105 6.16% 0.024 0.034

Footnotes: 

1. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 11-5: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

2. Mean TEQ amount is the mean sum-TEQ per pg/g of lipid

 Dioxin 08 Survey: Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S. Domestic Meat and Poultry Supply: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Dioxin_Report_1009.pdf

 Huwe et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57, 11194–11200 

3. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 11-38: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

4. Mean exposure, non-lean beef = beef consumption amount x mean beef TEQ amount x fat % in non-lean beef 

5. Comparison to RfD = mean exposure amount/RfD for dioxin 

6. Mean exposure, lean beef = beef consumption amount x mean beef TEQ amount x fat % in lean beef

 *EPA Dioxin Reassessment, Feb. 2012; RfD for dioxin = 0.7 pg/kg-bw-day (7 X 10-10 mg/kg-bw-day) 
Table 2. Highest Dioxin Exposure from Beef, Based on Beef Consumption
 

Beef 

consumption 

amount 

Highest beef 

TEQ 

amount 

Fat % in 

non-lean

beef 

Highest exposure, 

 non-lean beef 

Comparison of 

non-lean beef 

to the RfD*

Fat % in 

lean beef 

Highest exposure, 

lean beef

Comparison of 

 lean beef 

 to the RfD* 

Units (g/kg-day) (pg/g) (pg/kg-bw-day) (pg/kg-bw-day) 

Value1 Value2 Value3 Calculation4 Comparison5 Value3 Calculation6 Comparison5

Whole population 0.77 4.857 19.24% 0.720 1.028 6.16% 0.230 0.329

Birth to 1 0.34 4.857 19.24% 0.318 0.454 6.16% 0.102 0.145

1-2 years 1.38 4.857 19.24% 1.290 1.842 6.16% 0.413 0.590

3-5 years 1.42 4.857 19.24% 1.327 1.896 6.16% 0.425 0.607

6-12 years 1.11 4.857 19.24% 1.037 1.482 6.16% 0.332 0.474

13-19 years 0.83 4.857 19.24% 0.776 1.108 6.16% 0.248 0.355

20-49 years 0.73 4.857 19.24% 0.682 0.975 6.16% 0.218 0.312

Females 13-49 0.6 4.857 19.24% 0.561 0.801 6.16% 0.180 0.256

50 years and older 0.58 4.857 19.24% 0.542 0.774 6.16% 0.174 0.248

Footnotes: 

1. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 11-5: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

2. Highest TEQ amount is the highest-TEQ per pg/g of lipid

 Dioxin 08 Survey: Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S. Domestic Meat and Poultry Supply: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Dioxin_Report_1009.pdf

 Huwe et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57, 11194–11200 

3. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 11-38: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

4. Highest exposure, non-lean beef = beef consumption amount x highest beef TEQ amount x fat % in non-lean beef 

5. Comparison to RfD = highest exposure amount/RfD for dioxin 

6. Highest exposure, lean beef = beef consumption amount x highest beef TEQ amount x fat % in lean beef

 *EPA Dioxin Reassessment, Feb. 2012; RfD for dioxin = 0.7 pg/kg-bw-day (7 X 10-10 mg/kg-bw-day) 
 

Table 3. Dioxin Exposure from Beef as One of Several Protein Foods Sources 

Mean Recommended Calorie Level and Mean TEQ 

Based on USDA Food Pattern Recommendations in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines 

Mean 

calorie 

level 

Recommended 

protein foods 

amount 

Recommended 

meat, poultry, 

egg amount 

Meat % of 

meat, poultry, 

egg amount 

Recommended 

meat 

amount 

Beef % 

of meat 

Recommended 

beef amount 

Recommended 

beef amount 

Body 

weight 

(bw) 

Consumption 

amount 

Mean beef 

TEQ 

amount 

Fat % in 

lean beef 

Exposure based 

on recommended 

amount 

Comparison 

of exposure 

to RfD* 

Unit (oz/day) (oz/day) (oz/day) (oz/day) (g/day) (kg) (g/kg-day) (pg/g) (pg/kg-bw-day) 

Value1 Value1 Value2 Value3 Calculation4 Value5 Calculation6 Conversion7 Value8 Calculation9 Value10 Value11 Calculation12 Comparison13

1-2 years 1000 2.0 1.4 49.05% 0.7 67% 0.47 13.310 11.4 1.17 0.659 6.16% 0.047 0.068

3-5 years 1400 4.0 2.7 49.05% 1.3 67% 0.89 25.288 18.6 1.36 0.659 6.16% 0.055 0.079

6-12 years 1800 5.0 3.4 49.05% 1.7 67% 1.13 31.943 31.8 1.00 0.659 6.16% 0.041 0.058

13-19 years 2600 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 71.6 0.58 0.659 6.16% 0.023 0.033

20-49 years 2600 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 80 0.52 0.659 6.16% 0.021 0.030

Females 13-49 1800 5.0 3.4 49.05% 1.7 67% 1.13 31.943 70^ 0.46 0.659 6.16% 0.019 0.026

50 years and older 2000 5.5 3.7 49.05% 1.8 67% 1.22 34.605 80 0.43 0.659 6.16% 0.018 0.025

Usual U.S. intake (adults) 2000 5.5 N/A N/A 2.5~ 67% 1.68 47.486 80 0.594 0.659 6.16% 0.024 0.034

Recommended U.S. intake 2000 5.5 N/A N/A 1.8~ 67% 1.21 34.190 80 0.427 0.659 6.16% 0.017 0.025

Footnotes: 

1. Based on recommended calorie levels and Protein Foods amounts from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, Appendices 6&7: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm 

2. Based on recommended meat, poultry, egg amounts from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, Appendix 7: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm

 For example, for a 1000 calorie diet, a value of 10 oz/wk is divided by 7 days/wk 

3. Personal communication with CNPP (USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion); based on the USDA Food Patterns: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodPatterns.htm 

4. Recommended meat amount = meat % of meat, poultry and egg amount x recommended meat, poultry and egg amount

 ~Usual and recommended U.S. intake for meat portion of protein foods amount is taken from Table 5-1, and represents a 2000 calorie diet 

5. Beef % of "Meats Subgroup" is 67 %: the sum of beef, ground beef, beef liver and beef luncheon meats

 USDA Food Patterns: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/USDAFoodPatterns/ItemClustersAndRepFoods.pdf 

6. Recommended beef amount = recommended meat amount x beef % of meat 

7. Conversion from ounces to grams = oz x 28.35 g/oz 

8. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 8-1: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html

 ^"Females 13-49" body weight is an average taken from Table 8-5 

9. Consumption amount = recommended beef amount/body weight 

10 . Mean TEQ amount is the mean sum-TEQ per pg/g of lipid

 Dioxin 08 Survey: Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S. Domestic Meat and Poultry Supply: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Dioxin_Report_1009.pdf

 Huwe et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57, 11194–11200 

11. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 11-38: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

12. Exposure = consumption amount x mean beef TEQ amount x fat % in lean beef 

13. Comparison of exposure to the RfD = exposure/RfD for dioxin

 *EPA Dioxin Reassessment, Feb. 2012; RfD for dioxin = 0.7 pg/kg-bw-day (7 X 10-10 mg/kg-bw-day) 
 

Table 4. Dioxin Exposure from Beef as One of Several Protein Foods Sources 

Mean Recommended Calorie Level and Highest TEQ 

Based on USDA Food Pattern Recommendations in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines 

Mean 

calorie 

level 

Recommended 

protein foods 

amount 

Recommended 

meat, poultry, 

egg amount 

Meat % of 

meat, poultry, 

egg amount 

Recommended 

meat 

amount 

Beef % 

of meat 

Recommended 

beef amount 

Recommended 

beef amount 

Body 

weight 

(bw) 

Consumption 

amount 

Highest 

beef TEQ 

amount 

Fat % in 

lean beef 

Exposure based 

on recommended 

amount 

Comparison 

of exposure 

to RfD* 

Unit (oz/day) (oz/day) (oz/day) (oz/day) (g/day) (kg) (g/kg-day) (pg/g) (pg/kg-bw-day) 

Value1 Value1 Value2 Value3 Calculation4 Value5 Calculation6 Conversion7 Value8 Calculation9 Value10 Value11 Calculation12 Comparison13

1-2 years 1000 2.0 1.4 49.05% 0.7 67% 0.47 13.310 11.4 1.17 4.857 6.16% 0.349 0.499

3-5 years 1400 4.0 2.7 49.05% 1.3 67% 0.89 25.288 18.6 1.36 4.857 6.16% 0.407 0.581

6-12 years 1800 5.0 3.4 49.05% 1.7 67% 1.13 31.943 31.8 1.00 4.857 6.16% 0.301 0.429

13-19 years 2600 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 71.6 0.58 4.857 6.16% 0.172 0.246

20-49 years 2600 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 80 0.52 4.857 6.16% 0.154 0.220

Females 13-49 1800 5.0 3.4 49.05% 1.7 67% 1.13 31.943 70^ 0.46 4.857 6.16% 0.137 0.195

50 years and older 2000 5.5 3.7 49.05% 1.8 67% 1.22 34.605 80 0.43 4.857 6.16% 0.129 0.185

Usual U.S. intake (adults) 2000 5.5 N/A N/A 2.5~ 67% 1.68 47.486 80 0.594 4.857 6.16% 0.178 0.254

Recommended U.S. intake 2000 5.5 N/A N/A 1.8~ 67% 1.21 34.190 80 0.427 4.857 6.16% 0.128 0.183

Footnotes: 

1. Based on recommended calorie levels and Protein Foods amounts from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, Appendices 6&7: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm 

2. Based on recommended meat, poultry, egg amounts from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, Appendix 7: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm

 For example, for a 1000 calorie diet, a value of 10 oz/wk is divided by 7 days/wk 

3. Personal communication with CNPP (USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion); based on the USDA Food Patterns: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodPatterns.htm 

4. Recommended meat amount = meat % of meat, poultry and egg amount x recommended meat, poultry and egg amount

 ~Usual and recommended U.S. intake for meat portion of protein foods amount is taken from Table 5-1, and represents a 2000 calorie diet 

5. Beef % of "Meats Subgroup" is 67 %: the sum of beef, ground beef, beef liver and beef luncheon meats

 USDA Food Patterns: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/USDAFoodPatterns/ItemClustersAndRepFoods.pdf 

6. Recommended beef amount = recommended meat amount x beef % of meat 

7. Conversion from ounces to grams = oz x 28.35 g/oz 

8. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 8-1: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html

 ^"Females 13-49" body weight is an average taken from Table 8-5 

9 . Consumption amount = recommended beef amount/body weight 

10. Highest TEQ amount is the highest-TEQ per pg/g of lipid

 Dioxin 08 Survey: Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S. Domestic Meat and Poultry Supply: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Dioxin_Report_1009.pdf

 Huwe et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57, 11194–11200 

11. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 11-38: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

12. Exposure = consumption amount x highest beef TEQ amount x fat % in lean beef 

13 . Comparison of exposure to the RfD = exposure/RfD for dioxin

 *EPA Dioxin Reassessment, Feb. 2012; RfD for dioxin = 0.7 pg/kg-bw-day (7 X 10-10 mg/kg-bw-day) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 5. Dioxin Exposure from Beef as One of Several Protein Foods Sources 

Highest Recommended Calorie Level and Mean TEQ 

Based on USDA Food Pattern Recommendations in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines 

Highest 

calorie 

level 

Recommended 

protein foods 

amount 

Recommended 

meat, poultry, 

egg amount 

Meat % of 

meat, poultry, 

egg amount 

Recommended 

meat 

amount 

Beef % 

of meat 

Recommended 

beef amount 

Recommended 

beef amount 

Body 

weight 

(bw) 

Consumption 

amount 

Mean beef 

TEQ 

amount 

Fat % in 

lean beef 

Exposure based 

on recommended 

amount 

Comparison 

of exposure 

to RfD* 

Unit (oz/day) (oz/day) (oz/day) (oz/day) (g/day) (kg) (g/kg-day) (pg/g) (pg/kg-bw-day) 

Value1 Value1 Value2 Value3 Calculation4 Value5 Calculation6 Conversion7 Value8 Calculation9 Value10 Value11 Calculation12 Comparison13

Children 1-2 years 1000 2.0 1.4 49.05% 0.7 67% 0.47 13.310 11.4 1.17 0.659 6.16% 0.047 0.068

Females 3-5 years 1600 5.0 3.4 49.05% 1.7 67% 1.13 31.943 18.3 1.75 0.659 6.16% 0.071 0.101

Males 3-5 years 1600 5.0 3.4 49.05% 1.7 67% 1.13 31.943 18.8 1.70 0.659 6.16% 0.069 0.099

Females 6-12 years 2200 6.0 4.1 49.05% 2.0 67% 1.36 38.598 31.7 1.22 0.659 6.16% 0.049 0.071

Males 6-12 years 2400 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 31.9 1.29 0.659 6.16% 0.053 0.075

Females 13-19 years 2400 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 65.9 0.63 0.659 6.16% 0.025 0.036

Males 13-19 years 3200 7.0 4.9 49.05% 2.4 67% 1.60 45.253 77.3 0.59 0.659 6.16% 0.024 0.034

Females 20-49 years 2400 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 77.1 0.54 0.659 6.16% 0.022 0.031

Males 20-49 years 3000 7.0 4.9 49.05% 2.4 67% 1.60 45.253 90.5 0.50 0.659 6.16% 0.020 0.029

Females 50 years and older 2200 6.0 4.1 49.05% 2.0 67% 1.36 38.598 77.5 0.50 0.659 6.16% 0.020 0.029

Males 50 years and older 2800 7.0 4.9 49.05% 2.4 67% 1.60 45.253 89.5 0.51 0.659 6.16% 0.021 0.029

Usual U.S. intake (adults) 2000 5.5 N/A N/A 2.5~ 67% 1.68 47.486 80 0.594 0.659 6.16% 0.024 0.034

Recommended U.S. intake 2000 5.5 N/A N/A 1.8~ 67% 1.21 34.190 80 0.427 0.659 6.16% 0.017 0.025

Footnotes: 

1. Based on recommended calorie levels and Protein Foods amounts from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, Appendices 6&7: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm 

2.	 Based on recommended meat, poultry, egg amounts from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, Appendix 7: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm 

For example, for a 1000 calorie diet, a value of 10 oz/wk is divided by 7 days/wk 

3. Personal communication with CNPP (USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion); based on the USDA Food Patterns: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodPatterns.htm 

4.	 Recommended meat amount = meat % of meat, poultry and egg amount x recommended meat, poultry and egg amount 

~Usual and recommended U.S. intake for meat portion of protein foods amount is taken from Table 5-1, and represents a 2000 calorie diet 

5.	 Beef % of "Meats Subgroup" is 67 %: the sum of beef, ground beef, beef liver and beef luncheon meats 

USDA Food Patterns: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/USDAFoodPatterns/ItemClustersAndRepFoods.pdf 

6. Recommended beef amount = recommended meat amount x beef % of meat 

7. Conversion from ounces to grams = oz x 28.35 g/oz 

8. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Tables 8-3, 8-4, 8-5: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

9. Consumption amount = recommended beef amount/body weight 

10.	 Mean TEQ amount is the mean sum-TEQ per pg/g of lipid 

Dioxin 08 Survey: Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S. Domestic Meat and Poultry Supply: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Dioxin_Report_1009.pdf 

Huwe et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57, 11194–11200 

11. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 11-38: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

12. Exposure = consumption amount x mean beef TEQ amount x fat % in lean beef 

13.	 Comparison of exposure to the RfD = exposure/RfD for dioxin 

*EPA Dioxin Reassessment, Feb. 2012; RfD for dioxin = 0.7 pg/kg-bw-day (7 X 10-10 mg/kg-bw-day) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 6. Dioxin Exposure from Beef as One of Several Protein Foods Sources 

Highest Recommended Calorie Level and Highest TEQ 

Based on USDA Food Pattern Recommendations in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines 

Highest 

calorie 

level 

Recommended 

protein foods 

amount 

Recommended 

meat, poultry, 

egg amount 

Meat % of 

meat, poultry, 

egg amount 

Recommended 

meat 

amount 

Beef % 

of meat 

Recommended 

beef amount 

Recommended 

beef amount 

Body 

weight 

(bw) 

Consumption 

amount 

Highest 

beef TEQ 

amount 

Fat % in 

lean beef 

Exposure based 

on recommended 

amount 

Comparison 

of exposure 

to RfD* 

Unit (oz/day) (oz/day) (oz/day) (oz/day) (g/day) (kg) (g/kg-day) (pg/g) (pg/kg-bw-day) 

Value1 Value1 Value2 Value3 Calculation4 Value5 Calculation6 Conversion7 Value8 Calculation9 Value10 Value11 Calculation12 Comparison13

Children 1-2 years 1000 2.0 1.4 49.05% 0.7 67% 0.47 13.310 11.4 1.17 4.857 6.16% 0.349 0.499

Females 3-5 years 1600 5.0 3.4 49.05% 1.7 67% 1.13 31.943 18.3 1.75 4.857 6.16% 0.522 0.746

Males 3-5 years 1600 5.0 3.4 49.05% 1.7 67% 1.13 31.943 18.8 1.70 4.857 6.16% 0.508 0.726

Females 6-12 years 2200 6.0 4.1 49.05% 2.0 67% 1.36 38.598 31.7 1.22 4.857 6.16% 0.364 0.520

Males 6-12 years 2400 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 31.9 1.29 4.857 6.16% 0.387 0.553

Females 13-19 years 2400 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 65.9 0.63 4.857 6.16% 0.187 0.268

Males 13-19 years 3200 7.0 4.9 49.05% 2.4 67% 1.60 45.253 77.3 0.59 4.857 6.16% 0.175 0.250

Females 20-49 years 2400 6.5 4.4 49.05% 2.2 67% 1.46 41.260 77.1 0.54 4.857 6.16% 0.160 0.229

Males 20-49 years 3000 7.0 4.9 49.05% 2.4 67% 1.60 45.253 90.5 0.50 4.857 6.16% 0.150 0.214

Females 50 years and older 2200 6.0 4.1 49.05% 2.0 67% 1.36 38.598 77.5 0.50 4.857 6.16% 0.149 0.213

Males 50 years and older 2800 7.0 4.9 49.05% 2.4 67% 1.60 45.253 89.5 0.51 4.857 6.16% 0.151 0.216

Usual U.S. intake (adults) 2000 5.5 N/A N/A 2.5~ 67% 1.68 47.486 80 0.594 4.857 6.16% 0.178 0.254

Recommended U.S. intake 2000 5.5 N/A N/A 1.8~ 67% 1.21 34.190 80 0.427 4.857 6.16% 0.128 0.183

Footnotes: 

1. Based on recommended calorie levels and Protein Foods amounts from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, Appendices 6&7: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm 

2.	 Based on recommended meat, poultry, egg amounts from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, Appendix 7: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm 

For example, for a 1000 calorie diet, a value of 10 oz/wk is divided by 7 days/wk 

3. Personal communication with CNPP (USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion); based on the USDA Food Patterns: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodPatterns.htm 

4.	 Recommended meat amount = meat % of meat, poultry and egg amount x recommended meat, poultry and egg amount 

~Usual and recommended U.S. intake for meat portion of protein foods amount is taken from Table 5-1, and represents a 2000 calorie diet 

5.	 Beef % of "Meats Subgroup" is 67 %: the sum of beef, ground beef, beef liver and beef luncheon meats 

USDA Food Patterns: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/USDAFoodPatterns/ItemClustersAndRepFoods.pdf 

6. Recommended beef amount = recommended meat amount x beef % of meat 

7. Conversion from ounces to grams = oz x 28.35 g/oz 

8. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Tables 8-3, 8-4, 8-5: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

9. Consumption amount = recommended beef amount/body weight 

10.	 Highest TEQ amount is the highest-TEQ per pg/g of lipid 

Dioxin 08 Survey: Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S. Domestic Meat and Poultry Supply: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Dioxin_Report_1009.pdf 

Huwe et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57, 11194–11200 

11. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 11-38: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

12. Exposure = consumption amount x highest beef TEQ amount x fat % in lean beef 

13.	 Comparison of exposure to the RfD = exposure/RfD for dioxin 

*EPA Dioxin Reassessment, Feb. 2012; RfD for dioxin = 0.7 pg/kg-bw-day (7 X 10-10 mg/kg-bw-day) 
Table 7. Mean Dioxin Exposure from Beef as the Sole Protein Food Consumed 

Based on USDA Food Pattern Recommended Intakes of all Protein Foods in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines 

Recommended 

protein foods 

amount 

Recommended 

protein foods 

amount 

Body weight 

(bw) 

Consumption 

amount 

Mean beef 

TEQ 

amount 

Fat % in 

lean beef 

Exposure based 

on recommended 

amount 

Comparison 

of exposure 

to RfD* 

Unit (oz/day) (g/day) (kg) (g/kg-day) (pg/g) (pg/kg-bw-day) 

Value1 Conversion2 Value3 Calculation4 Value5 Value6 Calculation7 Comparison8

1-2 years 2.0 56.700 11.4 4.97 0.659 6.16% 0.202 0.288

3-5 years 4.0 113.400 18.6 6.10 0.659 6.16% 0.247 0.354

6-12 years 5.0 141.750 31.8 4.46 0.659 6.16% 0.181 0.259

13-19 years 6.5 184.275 71.6 2.57 0.659 6.16% 0.104 0.149

20-49 years 6.5 184.275 80 2.30 0.659 6.16% 0.094 0.134

Females 13-49 5.0 141.750 70^ 2.03 0.659 6.16% 0.082 0.117

50 years and older 5.5 155.925 80 1.95 0.659 6.16% 0.079 0.113

Footnotes: 

1. Based on recommended calorie levels and Protein Foods amounts from Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, Appendices 6&7: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm 

2. Conversion from ounces to grams = oz x 28.35 g/oz 

3. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 8-1: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html

 ^"Females 13-49" body weight is an average taken from Table 8-5 

4 . Consumption amount = recommended Protein Foods amount/body weight 

5. Mean TEQ amount is the mean sum-TEQ per pg/g of lipid

 Dioxin 08 Survey: Dioxins and Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S. Domestic Meat and Poultry Supply: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Dioxin_Report_1009.pdf

 Huwe et al., J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57, 11194–11200 

6. 2011 EPA Exposure Factors Handbook, Table 11-38: http://www.epa.gov/ncea/efh/report.html 

7. Exposure = consumption amount x mean beef TEQ amount x fat % in lean beef 

8. Comparison of exposure to the RfD = exposure/RfD for dioxin

 *EPA Dioxin Reassessment, Feb. 2012; RfD for dioxin = 0.7 pg/kg-bw-day (7 X 10-10 mg/kg-bw-day)