title: The effects of river flooding on dioxin and PCBs in beef.
abstract: In 2008-2010, samples of meat from 40 beef cattle, along with grass, soil and commercial feed, taken from ten matched pairs of flood-prone and control farms, were analysed for PCDD/Fs and PCBs. Concentrations were higher in soil and grass from flood-prone farms. The beef samples from flood-prone farms had total TEQ levels about 20% higher than on control farms. A majority of flood-prone farms (7/10) had higher median levels in beef than on the corresponding control farm. This first controlled investigation into PCDD/F and PCB contamination in beef produced on flood-prone land, presents robust evidence that flooding is a contaminant transfer mechanism to cattle raised on river catchments with a history of urbanisation and industrialisation. PCDD/F and PCB sources in these river systems are likely to be a result of the legacy of contamination from previous industrialisation, as well as more recent combustion activity or pollution events.
authors: School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
authors: Iain R
authors: IR
authors: Lake
authors: School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
authors: Christopher D
authors: CD
authors: Foxall
authors: The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK.
authors: Alwyn
authors: A
authors: Fernandes
authors: Askham Bryan College, Askham Bryan, York YO23 3FR, UK.
authors: Mervyn
authors: M
authors: Lewis
authors: Askham Bryan College, Askham Bryan, York YO23 3FR, UK.
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: White
authors: Food Standards Agency, Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH, UK.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Mortimer
authors: Food Standards Agency, Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH, UK.
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Dowding
authors: The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK. Electronic address: martin.rose@fera.gsi.gov.uk.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Rose
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D055868:Floods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers
chemical_list: D004147:Dioxins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Beef; Dioxins; Flooding; Food; PCBs; Risk assessment