Chlorinated compounds in tissues of chickens raised on pentachlorophenol-contaminated litter

Broiler chickens were raised on commercial wood shavings containing 134 p.p.m. pentachlorophenol and on control litter consisting of corn-cob chips. Initial analysis of the wood-shaving litter showed the presence of hepta-, octa- and nonachlorinated diphenyl ethers, octa- and nonachlorinated 2-phenoxyphenols, and hepta- and octachlorinated dibenzodioxins. Analysis of liver, fat, and muscle tissue after nine weeks indicated the assimilation of these compounds with pentachlorophenol being present in the highest concentration. Chlorinated diphenyl ethers were detectable only in fat, while octa- and nonachlorinated 2-phenoxyphenols were found in all three tissues examined. While liver and fat contained hepta- and octachlorinated dibenzodioxins, no hexachlorinated congener was detected nor were significant amounts of dioxin found in muscle tissue. Although gross pathological examination of the birds did not indicate abnormalities, a mixed type of hepatic enzyme induction was observed in those birds raised on wood shavings.