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Using PCDD/F congener patterns to determine the source of elevated TEQ concentrations in cows milk: a case study
Ruth E Alcock1, Andy J Sweetman, David R Anderson
1Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Lancaster University, UK. r.alcock@lancaster.ac.uk
Chemosphere
|February 7, 2002
Summary
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in cows' milk were traced to contaminated river sediment. Flooding likely transferred sediment to grazing land, leading to cows ingesting these persistent organic pollutants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Animal Science
Background:
- Elevated toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations of Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were detected in cows' milk near industrial sites.
- Understanding the source and pathway of PCDD/F contamination is crucial for food safety and environmental risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the source of PCDD/F contamination in cows' milk.
- To investigate the relationship between milk congener profiles and potential environmental sources.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of PCDD/F congener profiles in cows' milk and environmental samples (sediment).
- Application of Principal Components Analysis (PCA) for pattern recognition.
- Modeling of air-to-milk transfer of individual PCDD/F congeners.
Main Results:
- PCDD/F congener profiles in milk closely matched those found in sediment from the River Rother.
- A correlation was established between milk and sediment fingerprints, suggesting sediment as a primary source.
- Ingestion of contaminated sediment by grazing cows is proposed as the main exposure pathway.
Conclusions:
- River sediment contaminated with PCDD/Fs is a likely source of contamination in cows' milk.
- Flooding events can transfer contaminated sediment to grazing pastures, posing a risk to livestock.
- Ingestion of contaminated flood-deposited sediment represents a significant exposure route for livestock on inundated floodplains.
