Abstract
Levels of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), DDE, and mirex were measured in the subcutaneous fat, breast muscle, liver, and brain of sixty-three waterfowl collected in New York State during 1979 and 1980. Mean PCB levels were 7.5 μg/g in fat and 1.3 μg/g in breast muscle on a wet weight basis. The FDA tolerance level is 3.0 μg/g in fat on a wet weight basis. Mean DDE and mirex levels were 0.34 μg/g and 0.10 μg/g in fat and 0.16 μg/g and 0.07 μg/g in breast muscle on a wet weight basis, respectively. Comparisons and correlations were made of contaminant levels in the various tissues by different concentration bases, and PCB concentrations were compared to the Aroclor® (PCB) type. Potential health hazards are discussed. Comparisons to earlier studies show declined levels. Mergansers are the most contaminated species.
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Kim, K.S., Pastel, M.J., Kim, J.S. et al. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, DDE, and mirex in waterfowl collected in New York State, 1979–1980. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 13, 373–381 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055289
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055289