Dioxins, DL-PCB and NDL-PCB accumulation profiles in livers from sheep and cattle reared in North-western Italy

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2016-06, Vol.152, p.92-98
• Main Authors: Benedetto, A., Brizio, P., Guaraldo, P., Stella, C., Cappa, C., Baioni, E., Spalenza, V., Nebbia, C., Abete, M.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Benzofurans - analysis; Benzofurans - metabolism; Cattle - growth & development; Cattle - metabolism; cows; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; Dioxin-like PCBs; Dioxins; ewes; Female; Humans; Italy; liver; Liver - chemistry; Liver - metabolism; marker PCBs; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - metabolism; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - analysis; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - metabolism; Sheep - growth & development; Sheep - metabolism; Species Specificity
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.02.101

Products of animal origin represent the main route of human exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-compounds). Recently, concerns have been raised about ovine products, particularly the liver, in which relatively high levels of DL-compounds have been reported. We surveyed ovine and bovine livers in areas with no known sources of dioxin or DL-PCB contamination, in order to assess accumulation patterns for both DL-compounds and non-DL (NDL-) PCBs. None of the ovine and bovine samples exceeded the current Maximum Limits (MLs) for DL-compounds. Liver DL-compound TEQ concentrations were up to 5-fold higher in sheep than in cows. No statistically significant differences in total NDL-PCBs levels were found. The main contributors to TEQ levels were the Penta- and Hexa-chlorinated PCDFs and PCB 126. The results confirm the increased bioaccumulation in ovine liver towards specific DL-compounds even in ewes reared in areas with no known sources of PCDD/Fs or DL-PCBs contamination. [Display omitted] •DL-compound TEQ levels in the livers of ewes were up to 5-fold higher than in cows.•No significant differences in levels of NDL-PCBs were found between the two species.•DL-compound levels were remarkably lower than those reported in previous studies.•Data are consistent with the expected low DL-contamination level in sampling areas.•Previous fat-related MLs for ovine livers were more precautionary than current MLs.