Carry-over of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in dairy cows fed smoke contaminated maize silage or sugar beet pulp. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoogenboom, Ron L.A.P.; Klop, Arie; Herbes, Rik; van Eijkeren, Jan C.H.; Zeilmaker, Marco J.; van Vuuren, Ad M.; Traag, Wim A.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 137(2015)
• Page Start: 214
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Dioxins -- PCBs -- Fire -- Drying -- Milk -- Cows; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.07.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Highlights: Cows were fed with maize silage or beet pulp contaminated with dioxins due to smoke. Maize levels around the maximum level caused milk levels close to the maximum level. Carry-over rates similar as for most other sources. Contamination by fires or drying may be a relevant source of dioxins. Abstract: Fires and improper drying may result in contamination of feed with PCDD/Fs and PCBs. To predict the impact of elevated feed levels, it is important to understand the carry-over to edible products from food producing animals. Therefore, a carry-over study was performed with maize silage contaminated by a fire with PVC materials, and with sugar beet pulp contaminated by drying with coal, containing particles from a plastic roof. Levels of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in the maize silage were 0.93 and 0.25 ng TEQ kg −1, those in beet pulp 1.90 and 0.15 ng TEQ kg −1 (both on 88% dry matter (DM)). Dairy cows (3 per treatment) received either 16.8 kg DM per day of maize silage or 5.6 kg DM per day of sugar beet pellets for a 33-d period, followed by clean feed for 33 days. This resulted in a rapid increase of PCDD/F levels in milk within the first 10 days with levels at day 33 of respectively 2.6 and 1.7 pg TEQ g −1 fat for maize silage and beet pulp. Levels of dl-PCBs at day 33 were lower, 1.0 and 0.5 pg TEQ g −1 fat. In the case of the maize silage, the carry-over rates (CORs) at the end of the exposure were calculated to be 25% and 32% for the PCDD/F- and dl-PCB-TEQ, respectively. For the dried beet pulp the CORs were 18% and 35%. This study shows that the carry-over of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs formed during drying processes or fires can be substantial.