title: Polychlorodibenzodioxin and -furan (PCDD and PCDF) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyl (DL-PCB) congener levels in milk of grazing sheep as indicators of the environmental quality of rural areas.
abstract: An observational study was set up to evaluate how the quality of the environment may influence the levels of of PCDDs, PCDFs, and DL-PCBs in sheep's milk. Seven farms under natural and anthropogenic pressures were considered, along with an inventory of the surrounding regular and natural sources of emissions. Analysis by HRGC-HRMS revealed the highest cumulative levels (2.1 pg of WHO(1998)-TE/g fat) in one organic and one conventional farm, each close to a relevant bushfire. Their pattern was characterized by a noticeable contribution (24%) from mono-ortho-PCB congeners to the cumulative WHO-TE. For the other farms, close to potential anthropogenic sources, the levels recorded in milk ranged from 0.7 to 1.3 pg of WHO-TE/g fat. The health and reproductive indicators were in all herds within the physiological range. Results suggest the environmental quality in extensive farming system should be eligible as a food safety factor, also for organic productions.
authors.affiliation: Environment Department, Istituto Superiore di sanità, Rome, Italy. gianfranco.brambilla@iss.it
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.forename: Stefania Paola
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: De Filippis
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fulgenzi
authors.forename: Anna Laura
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Iamiceli
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzette
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miniero
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pulina
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005506:Food Contamination; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000737:chemistry*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls