[Evaluation and occurrence of high-risk pollutants in animal feed factories]. / Zhodnocení výskytu rizikových polutantu ve výrobnách krmných smesí.

Concentrations of some hazardous pollutants were studied in dust deposit samples (n = 30) taken from the indoor equipment of two feed mixture plants (FMP) in Hodonín district in 1995 and 1996; the pollutants involved mercury, cadmium, lead, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), alpha and beta hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), lindane (gamma HCH), DDT sum, DDT isomers, polychlorinated biphenyls (Delor 103, Delor 106, PCB indicator congeners). The statistically significantly higher (P < 0.01) average concentration of mercury (0.028 mg/kg) was recorded in dust depositions (n = 15) in FMP K. in comparison with FMP R. Increased concentrations of cadmium (more than 0.5 mg/kg) were determined in dust depositions in FMP K. in 1 sample (0.582 mg/kg), of lead (more than 5.0 mg/kg) in 1 sample (7.540 mg/kg), of HCB (more than 0.01 mg/kg) in two samples (0.034 and 0.036 mg/kg), of beta HCH (more than 0.005 mg/kg) in 4 samples (0.021; 0.022; 0.023 and 0.046 mg/kg), higher DDT sum (more than 0.05 mg/kg) were determined in FMP K. in 3 samples (0.072; 0.085 and 0.190 mg/kg) and of PCB sum (more than 0.05 mg/kg) in 4 samples (0.054; 0.059; 0.074 and 1.085 mg/kg). In comparison with FMP K., dust depositions (n = 15) in FMP R. showed the statistically significantly higher (P < 0.05) average concentration of lead (5.241 mg/kg). Increased concentrations of lead were determined in dust depositions in FMP R. in 7 samples (5.040; 5.230; 6.760; 7.590; 7.620; 8.450 and 15.650 mg/kg), of beta HCH in 7 samples (0.006; 0.008; 0.022; 0.024; 0.026; 0.029 and 0.049 mg/kg), higher DDT sum were recorded in 3 samples (0.053; 0.074 and 0.126 mg/kg) and higher PCB sum in 8 samples (0.057; 0.066; 0.101; 0.134; 0.164; 0.426; 0.821 and 1.202 mg/kg). The highest average concentration of hazardous pollutants in dust depositions (n = 30) in both feed mixture plants was determined in lead (4.122 mg/kg), in a descending order followed by PCB sum (0.151 mg/kg), cadmium (0.127 mg/kg), DDT sum (0.030 mg/kg), mercury (0.019 mg/kg), lindane (0.013 mg/kg), beta HCH (0.010 mg/kg), HCB (0.004 mg/kg and alpha HCH (0.001 mg/kg). Out of PCB indicator congeners, dust depositions contained the highest quantities of congener 138 (0.022 mg/kg), congener 180 (0.018 mg/kg) and congener 153 (0.015 mg/kg). Isomer p,p-DDT was dominant in dust depositions among DDT isomers (0.019 mg/kg). Dust depositions sampled from the indoor equipment of feed mixture plants are a promising indicator of produced feed mixtures contamination with hazardous pollutants. To seek sources of feed mixtures contamination is a permanent task of veterinary service.

Effects of environmental pollutants on the porcine and bovine immune systems.

Immunological examinations were done in 30 fattening pigs from three swine farms (D., M., T.) and 20 dairy cows from one cattle farm (N.) in the district of Hodonín in 1994. At the same time, samples of stable dust deposits collected in the four farms were analysed for the contents of mercury, cadmium, lead, gamma-HCH (lindane), and total DDT and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). Decreased blood level of lysozyme (0.92 mg/l) was found in the swine herd D. Ten percent of the pigs in the herd were affected with purulent skin lesions. The concentrations of the pollutants under study in the dust deposits collected in the herd D. were low. An increased concentration of PCB (0.263 mg/kg) in stable dust but no adverse effects on the immune system were found in the swine herd M. Eosinophilia (6.2%), increased extensity of Ascaris suum infection (25%) and a high content of lead in stable dust (11.2 mg/kg) were typical of the swine herd T. A high content of lindane (0.139 mg/kg) and an extremely high content of lead (214 mg/kg), which can participate in the immunosuppression of lymphocytes, were found in the cattle herd N. The activity of lymphocytes was depressed in 35% of the cows and the mean value was at the lower limit of the physiological range. Hazardous pollutants can affect the immune system of farm animals and their penetration into the stable environment should be prevented.

[Occurrence of harmful pollutants in fattened pigs]. / Zhodnocení výskytu rizikových polutantu u výkrmových prasat.

Fourteen fattened pigs (age of 240-250 days, live weight 110-120 kg) were examined on three farms (D., M. and T.) in Hodonin district in 1994 for the content of some harmful pollutants (mercury, cadmium, lead, lindane, DDT sum, DDT isomers, lower and higher chlorinated biphenyls, PCB congeners) in the muscle, liver, kidneys and subcutaneous fat. Maximum allowable quantities (MAQ) of extraneous matters were slightly exceeded in mercury only, in 5 samples of the muscle (0.012-0.022 mg/kg). In comparison with the average contents of extraneous matters in pigs in the Czech Republic in 1994, higher concentrations of mercury (0.009 mg/kg), lead (0.124 mg/kg), lindane (0.060 mg/kg fat) and DDT sum (0.083 mg/kg) were observed in the muscle of pigs from Hodonín district. The liver of the pigs contained the highest average concentrations of lead (0.141 mg/kg), lindane (0.280 mg/kg fat), DDT sum (0.323 mg/kg fat), p,p'-DDE (0.106 mg/kg fat), p,p'-DDT (0.057 mg/kg fat). PCB-Delor 103 (0.415 mg/kg fat), PCB-Delor 106 (0.561 mg/kg fat) and PCB 118 congener (0.029 mg/kg fat). The highest average values of mercury (0.014 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.147 mg/kg) were determined in the kidneys of pigs. The ratio of lower-chlorinated biphenyls (Delor 103) to higher-chlorinated biphenyls (Delor 106) was approximately 1 : 3 in the muscle, 1 : 1 in the liver and 1 : 2 in subcutaneous fat. The per cent share of three PCB congeners, 101, 138 and 153, was highest in the muscle, liver and subcutaneous fat of pigs. The pigs from Hodonín district exhibited in 1994 the greater load of mercury, lead, lindane and DDT than in other regions of the Czech Republic, but these values did not mostly exceed the hygienic limits in force. It is desirable to observe the spectrum of indicator PCB congeners for objective evaluation of PCB load in pigs, as they indicate the contamination level with lower- and higher-chlorinated biphenyls (Delor 103 to Delor 106). Greater attention should be paid to the congener PCB 118, which is the most toxic out of the indicator congeners concerned.

[Occurrence of harmful chemical elements (Hg, Cd, Pb) in pig stalls]. / Výskyt rizikových chemických prvku (Hg, Cd, Pb) ve stájovém prostredí chovú prasat.

The presence of harmful chemical elements (Hg, Cd, Pb) in the stable environment for fattened pigs was compared in Hodonin district in the years 1984 and 1994. These data were recorded for the year 1994 in comparison with 1984: 1, mercury content in feed mixtures for pigs decreased 102 times (0.510 and/or 0.005 mg/kg), cadmium content 8 times (0.400 and/or 0.048 mg/kg) and lead content 6 times (2,680 and/or 0.420 mg/kg); 2. mercury content in stable dust deposition decreased 27 times (0.480 and/or 0.018 mg/kg) and cadmium content 6 times (1.370 and/or 0.248 mg/kg), but lead content slightly increased (5.980 and/or 8.569 mg/kg); 3. mercury content in the bristles dropped 20 times (0.440 and/or 0.022 mg/kg), cadmium content 5 times (0.080 and/or 0.015 mg/kg) and lead content 10 times (1.690 and/or 0.195 mg/kg). In addition, the presence of Hg, Cd and Pb in pig manure and road dust was investigated. Road dust exhibited an increased lead concentration (22.800 mg/kg), so it is not possible to exclude lead penetration from the stable surroundings to the internal environment of the stable. After application to arable land, pig manure can be a vector of some amounts of heavy metals (Hg 0.003; Cd 0.024; Pb 0.518 mg/kg dry matter). It is a positive result that there has been a significant decrease in mercury and cadmium contents in the stable environment for fattened pigs in the last decade. This fact reduces the health risk not only for pigs but also for their tenders.

[Occurrence of chlorinated pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in the stalls and outdoor environment in pig-fattening farms]. / Výskyt chlorovaných pesticidu a polychlorovaných bifenylu ve stáajovém a mimostájovém prostredí farem pro výkrm prasat.

Contents of some pesticides (lindane, DDT sum, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (Delor 103, Delor 106, PCB congeners: 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were investigated on three farms of fattened pigs (D., M. and T) in Hodonín district in 1994, as occurring in feed mixtures (n= 15), drinking water (n = 10), stable sedimented dust (n = 14), slurry (n = 10) and pavement dust (n = 5). Maximum permissible contents (MPC) of extraneous matters in feed mixtures were exceeded in lindane (two samples) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). MPC of extraneous matters were not exceeded in drinking waters in any of the samples examined. Feed mixtures were found to have the highest average lindane content (0.054 mg/kg) and PCB sum (0.24 mg/kg); the ratio of lower chlorinated biphenyls (Delor 103) to higher chlorinated biphenyls (Delor 106) was 12:1; out of the PCB congeners, the highest amounts were determined for congeners 28 (0.067 mg/kg) and 52 (0.022 mg/kg); among the DDT isomers, isomer p,p'-DDT was prevailing (0.008 mg/kg). Drinking water had the 1:1 ratio of lower chlorinated to higher chlorinated biphenyls; out of the PCB congeners, the highest amounts were found out for congeners 28 (2.574 ng/l) and 101 (2.066 ng/l); among the DDT isomers, isomer p,p'-DDE was prevailing (1.887 ng/l). Stable dust was found to have the highest average level of DDT sum (0.026 mg/kg); the ratio of lower chlorinated to higher chlorinated biphenyls was 1:7; out of the PCB congeners, the highest amounts were determined for congeners 138 (0.036 mg/kg) and 153 (0.030 mg/kg); among the DDT isomers, isomer p,p'-DDE was prevailing (0.012 mg/kg). Slurry showed the 1:6 ratio of lower chlorinated to higher chlorinated biphenyls; out of the PCB congeners, the highest amounts were found out for congeners 138 (0.016 mg/kg dry matter) and 153 (0.014 mg/kg dry matter); among the DDT isomers, isomer p,p'-DDT was prevailing (0.005 mg/kg dry matter). Pavement dust had the 1:5 ratio of lower chlorinated to higher chlorinated biphenyls; out of the PCB congeners, the highest amounts were found out for congeners 138 (0.016 mg/kg) and 153 (0.012 mg/kg); among the DDT isomers, isomer p,p'-DDE was prevailing (0.005 mg/kg). Examination of feed mixtures and drinking waters will provide basic data on pollutant inputs to the stable environment. Stable sedimented dust is considered as an outstanding indicator of pollutant contamination of stable environment, regardless whether it comes from feed or other sources. Slurry examination will provide additional information on the total pollutant load of pig farms, informing us about outputs of extraneous matters residues from pig farms. Pavement dust examination indicates the level of pollutant load of outside stable environment as the pollutants can occasionally penetrate to the internal stable environment.

Mutagenicity of stable dust and drinking water on swine and cattle farms.

Single pilot examinations of mutagenicity of stable dust and drinking water were made on three swine farms (D., M., T.) and one cattle farm (N.) in the district of Hodonín in summer 1994. The mutagenicity was examined by the Ames test using the indicator strains Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 with (+S9) or without (-S9) metabolic activation. At the same time the contents of selected pesticides (PES) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in stable dust and drinking water and that of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in stable dust were determined. Increased mutagenicity was demonstrated in drinking water (strain TA 98 with metabolic activation; index Rt/Rk 3.6-7.7) and stable dust (strain TA 100 with metabolic activation; index Rt/Rk 2.2) collected on the swine farm M. High contents of PAH (8.246 mg/kg) and PCB (0.263 mg/kg) were also found in the dust samples collected on this farm. Only drinking water showed mutagenic activity (strain TA 98 without metabolic activation; index Rt/Rk 2.6) on the swine farm D. On both the farms, the number of revertants was dose-dependent. Increased content of PAH (2.553 mg/kg) was also demonstrated on the dust samples collected on the farm D. No significant increase (twofold or higher when compared with negative controls) of mutagenic activity of stable dust or drinking water was demonstrable on the swine farm T. and the cattle farm N. Substances responsible for the mutagenicity of drinking water on the farms D. and M. have not yet been identified. Anyway, the increase of mutagenicity of stable dust and drinking water should be taken as a warning that mutagens that can jeopardise animal and human health have penetrated into the stable environment.