Field investigation to determine the environmental source of PCBs in a pig farm. (15th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vaccher, Vincent; Marchand, Philippe; Picherot, Mélanie; Dervilly-Pinel, Gaud; Lesquin, Elodie; Brosseaud, Aline; Venisseau, Anaïs; Le Bizec, Bruno
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 245(2018)
• Page Start: 394
• Page End: 401
• Publication Date: 2018-04-15
• Subjects: DL-PCB -- Paints -- Pork -- GC-HRMS -- Investigations -- Case report; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.10.105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Non-compliant pig fat for the sum PCDD/F and DL-PCB resulted in farm investigations. A range of possible sources was characterized by GC-HRMS for PCB levels. Peeling feed storage tank paints were discovered to be the PCB source. Abstract: During a national monitoring plan, a pork fat sample was declared non-compliant for the sum of dioxins and PCB-DL (EU regulation). The National Reference Laboratory together with competent authorities conducted extended investigations to determine rapidly the contamination source at the farm level. A range of samples ( n = 129), representative of potential contamination sources, was selected for further characterization (fat, feed, materials, dust, soil) and was analyzed for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs by GC-HRMS. A hot spot was localized in the farm, which corresponded to a pre-feed storage tank, the paints of which presented huge DL-PCB concentrations (>1 × 10 6 pg g −1 ), responsible for the contamination. The present case report describes a new source of PCB contamination, previously undescribed.