Organochlorine pesticides and NDL-PCBs in wild boars from flatland region with intensive agricultural activities.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to analyse the content of OHCs and NDL-PCBs in wild boar population living in densely populated flatland region with intensive agricultural production. A total of 82 liver samples were analysed by GC-MS method, revealing the presence of minimum one residue in the liver of the majority of animals (92.7%). Most commonly detected residues included ∑ HCH (64.6%), ∑endrin (56.1%) and ∑dieldrin (32.3%). Mean concentrations were in the range ∑endrin > ∑dieldrin > ∑HCH > ∑NDL-PCB > ∑DDT > ∑CHL > ∑endosulfan > methoxychlor. The dominant compound within the total content of NDL-PCBs was PCB 153 (76%). The assessment of daily intake and determination of Health Index indicated that in 6.1% of the samples the consumption of one single portion of wild boar liver would be harmful to human health due to the presence of ∑endrin or NDL-PCBs.