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ABSTRACT'ArocIor 1254' was fed to laying pullets at 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg per kg of diet. After 24 weeks the concentration of total polychlorinated biphenyls in body fat was 11-17 times the dietary level and the relative concentrations in body fat, liver, muscle, and whole eggs were 40, 4, 1, and 1, respectively. The concentration in body fat and in eggs was reduced to one half 14 weeks and 6 weeks respectively after withdrawal of the treated diet. Live body weights, brain, kidney, and egg weights, and eggshell thickness were unaffected. High doses generally increased liver and heart weights. Egg production and hatchability were reduced at higher doses. No signs of toxicity were observed. The use of local meat meal and fish meal in a mash is not likely to result in any significant accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in poultry products.

Twenty-seven deep-water fish species from a number of locations around New Zealand were sampled between 1976 and 1980 to determine their flesh mercury levels. Twenty-four species (1300 specimens) had mean mercury levels below 0.5 mg.kg -1 , the maximum permitted by the New Zealand Food and Drug Regulations (1973). The overall range was 0.02-2.40 mg. kg -1 . Mercury levels and fish length were positively correlated in 13 species. Locality effects were also detected; in ling (Genypterus blacodes), mercury levels in individuals from all but 2 of the 5 areas investigated were significantly different. Water temperature was considered to be an important factor because fastgrowing ling in warm waters generally had more mercury in their flesh than those from cooler regions.

Plots of established pasture were treated with a granular formulation of trichlorfon, or with trichlorfon spray. Analyses of pasture sampled after treatment showed that residues of trichlorfon declined rapidly under both winter and summer conditions. Twelve days after treatment, pasture from plots treated with granules at rates of 1, 21, or 5 lb active ingredient per acre contained 1, 2, and 5 p.p.m. trichlorfon respectively; pasture sampled at the same time after treatment from plots sprayed at rates of 1 or 2 lb active ingredient per acre contained 2 and 5 p.p.m. trichlorfon respectively.