Herd health status of animals exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)

The health status of 16 herds of dairly cattle exposed to low levels of polybrominated bipenyl (PBB) was compared with that of 15 control herds. Milk production of the contaminated herds was not significantly changed in 1972, 1973, and 1974 and was not significantly different from that of control herds in the same years. Mortality of adult cows and calves, the percentages of cows culled from the herds because of old age and low production, disease, or sterility, and the general health conditions were similar in the two groups. Serum concentrations of calcium, glucose, and cholesterol in contaminated herds were significantly different from those of the control herds, but the relationship to PBB exposure needs further investigation.