Impact of environmental variables on PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels in dairy milk of the farming region of Chile

Abstract

Impact of environmental variables on PCDD/F and dl-PCB levels in dairy milk of the farming region of Chile. 2018. Cien. Inv. Agr. 45(2): 109-119. According to a One Health perspective, the importance of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) must be assessed because of their impact on the environment, food chain and human health. However, information on these toxic compounds is limited in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Chile is no exception; therefore, this work aimed to explain previously reported dioxin levels in cow-milk samples by utilizing regression with meteorological/geographical data that were collected over a three-year survey. To accomplish this aim, a stepwise general multiple regression analysis was carried out for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs). The best statistical adjustments were achieved only for highly present congeners. Regarding PCDD/F congeners, the most relevant and significant (P <0.05) factors were the year (mostly a negative coefficient), the season, and the hectares affected by forest fires. In the case of dl-PCB congeners, there was a clear, positive relationship with the geographic parameter (UTM), and this result was consistent with previous findings that dl-PCB congeners show a trend with latitude. In contrast, wind speed was a significant negative coefficient for dl-PCBs. Despite existing knowledge on pollutant levels in milk, this study is relevant to better understand these findings in the Latin America and Caribbean regions.

Persistent Organic Pollutants and Fatty Acid Profile in a Typical Cheese from Extensive Farms: First Assessment of Human Exposure by Dietary Intake

“…The PCBs are persistent and could be accumulated in livestock products, differently to PAHs that are largely metabolised [ 2 , 78 ]. In animal products, these contaminants can achieve different pollution levels, and dairy products represent a considerable portion of total dietary exposure, considering the human diet composition [ 3 ]. The cheeses sampled in this study showed a presence of dl- PCBs 114 + 118 (range: 0.01–5.41 ng/g; Table S2 ), being that PCB 118 is one of the principal congeners found in cow milk [ 92 , 93 , 94 ], a raw product used to make Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese.…”

“…Many works show the risks involved due to the occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment, affecting negatively both ecosystems and human health [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Only a few investigations were carried out on transfer of POPs to cow milk and the subsequent human risk by ingestion of dairy products [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 11 , 13 ].…”

“…Only a few investigations were carried out on transfer of POPs to cow milk and the subsequent human risk by ingestion of dairy products [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 11 , 13 ]. Despite the progressive improvement of risk management measures, different pollutants from natural and anthropogenic activities can be released from various sources, where they persist as results of recent or past releases [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. This category includes the persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), but also the halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).…”

“…This category includes the persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), but also the halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). When they reach soil, water, and pasture from atmospheric deposition of local emission sources, they can enter the food chain consumed by livestock and, consequently accumulate in food rich in fat (such as meat, fatty fish, milk and dairy products), thanks to their high lipophilic character [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Therefore, the foodstuff can present complex mixtures of these pollutant compounds, related to the environmental quality and animal exposure, causing bioaccumulation consequently in humans due to metabolism capacities [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

“…When they reach soil, water, and pasture from atmospheric deposition of local emission sources, they can enter the food chain consumed by livestock and, consequently accumulate in food rich in fat (such as meat, fatty fish, milk and dairy products), thanks to their high lipophilic character [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Therefore, the foodstuff can present complex mixtures of these pollutant compounds, related to the environmental quality and animal exposure, causing bioaccumulation consequently in humans due to metabolism capacities [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Their intake via contaminated products can determine different adverse effects on human health [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 14 ], with relevant factors including the kind of contaminant, exposure and individual conditions, causing different diseases, such as infertility, hormonal and reproductive system disorders, immunological and neurological toxicity, and...…”