Assessment of persistant organic pollutants acting as endocrine disruptor chemicals in animal fat, cow milk and lacteous sub-products from Cluj County, Romania

The present study aimed to quantify the levels of largely distributed organochlorine compounds(pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls) in various biological media of animal origin from Cluj County,Romania. Organochlorine pesticides residues (DDT and its metabolites, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin,hexachlorbenzene, heptachlor, α-hexachlorcyclohexane, β-hexachlorcyclohexane, γ-hexachlorcyclohexaneand δ-hexachlorcyclohexane) were detected in 2.3-62.5% cow milk samples, lacteous sub-products andbovine fat tissue samples without exceeding maximum admitted limits according to the 86/363 Directive ofthe European Council. Polychlorinated biphenyls residues (PCB-28, -52, -101, -138, -153 and -180) wereidentified in 42.43-60.87% of analyzed samples with mean values similar to those previously reported inproducts and sub-products of animal origin in other geographical areas from Romania. Hence, the presenceof persistent organic pollutants acting as endocrine disruptors in products and sub-products of animalorigin from Cluj County is confirmed, thus supporting the passage and bio/accumulation of thesecompounds across the trophic chain to the man.