Variations in environmental contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and chlorinated pesticides (Lindane, DDT) on ping farms in Hodonín district in 1994 to 1999

Environmental samples (n = 216) were collected at regular intervals from 1994 to 1999 on three pig farms (D., M., T.) in the area of the district town of Hodonín, Czech Republic. The samples of feed mixtures (n = 85), drinking water (n = 44), barn dust sediments (n = 45), and muscular tissue of feeder pigs (n = 42) were analysed for the concentrations of PCB (sum of 7 indicator congeners), DDT (sum of 6 isomers), and lindane (g-hexachlorocyclohexane). The concentrations of lindane showed increasing tendencies in feed mixtures (1995-1999), drinking water (1997-1999), barn dust sediments (1996-1998), and pork (1997-1999). The limit of permissi-ble concentrations (hereinafter limit) was exceeded in two samples of feed mixtures collected in 1994. The limit for DDT was exceeded in two samples of feed mixtures collected in 1994. Generally, the concentrations showed a decreasing tendency in feed mixtures and barn dust sediments (1997-1999) and regular fluctuations in pork. The limit for PCB was exceeded in two samples of feed mixtures collected in 1994 and in one sample of drink-ing water collected in 1995. The concentrations showed increasing tendencies in feed mixtures (1995-1998) and pork (1996-1998). Decreasing tendencies were observed in drinking water (1995-1999) and barn dust sediments (1994-1997). Compared with mean values for the Czech Republic, the concentrations of lindane were higher in feed samples collected in 1994, 1997, and 1998, in drinking water samples collected in 1994 and 1995, and in pork samples collected in 1994-1998, the concentrations of DDT were higher in feed samples collected in 1994, 1997, and 1998, drinking water samples collected in 1995, and pork samples collected in 1994 and 1996-1998, and the concentrations of PCB were higher in feed samples collected in 1997 and 1998, in drinking water samples collected in 1994 and 1995, and in pork samples collected in 1996-1998. The health risk of DDT, lindane, and PCB has been assessed as moderate, medium, and moderately increased, respectively.