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Aim The study aimed at evaluating the concentration levels of organochlorine pollutants in donkey milk and their modulation on the intestinal strongyle infection. Risk evaluation for consumer health was also investigated. Methods We analyzed milk of grazing donkeys living in areas of Southern of Italy affected by organochlorine compounds environmental pollution and parasite infection. The presence of pollutants was assessed through summary statistics; regression analysis of intestinal strongyle on pollutant concentration was performed to investigate the relationship between the two variables. Results PCB concentrations (mainly non-dioxin-like (ndl)-PCBs) were higher than OCP ones. Mean values of ndl-PCBs across areas ranged from 93.13 to 263.64 ng g−1. In all sample units we detected the six indicator PCBs with the prevalence of the PCB 153, followed by the PCB 28 and the PCB 101. Among the dioxin-like (dl)-PCBs, non-ortho PCB 169, 77 and 126 were assessed in some milk samples; in all areas we detected the mono-ortho PCB 118 and PCB 105. Positive correlation between infection level and six indicator PCBs as well as between the former and HCB, on WW and LW, were observed (at least statistically significant at 5 percent). In some cases, Dl-PCB concentrations emerged as dangerous given the EU maximum residue limit for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs. Conclusion Evidence supports the hypothesis of an immunosuppressive role of organochlorine pollutants; risk evaluation reveals the potential health impact of dl-PCB intake, particularly for major donkey milk consumers such as infants, children with cow milk and multiple food intolerance, and elders.

The study compared the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) profile of human milk collected from Italian mothers and different brands of infant formula available on Italian market. Levels of 14 PAHs most frequently occurred in food, PAH markers listed by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, and carcinogenic PAHs classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector. The average concentrations of total PAHs were 114.93 in breast milk and 53.68μgkg-1in infant formula. Furthermore, Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and the sum of ∑PAH4 markers (BaP, Chrysene, Benzo(a,h)anthracene and Benzo(b)fluoranthene) were higher than the permissible limit of 1μgkg-1in 43% and 86% for breast milk and in 10% and 76% for infant formula samples, respectively. Breast milk showed higher levels (P&nbsp

Aim The study aims at investigating whether, and if so, to what extent the strong presence of urban and industrial waste in a territory may cause PCB contamination in goat milk produced therein. Methods We compared PCB concentrations in goat milk from three different locations in the Campania region (Italy). One of the three locations, together with its surrounding area, has long suffered from illegal waste disposal and burning mainly by the so-called Ecomafia. The other locations, not involved in these illegal activities, allowed us to create a control group of goats with characteristics very similar to those of main interest. Results In milk from the waste contaminated area we identified high PCB concentrations (six indicator PCBs amounted to 170 ng g−1 on lipid weight, on average), whereas there was an almost total absence of such pollutants in milk from the control group. Concentrations of the six indicator PCBs were above the current European maximum residue limit fixed by the EU. At the same time, we found a lower average value of lipid content and a negative relationship between lipid content and PCB concentrations. Conclusion Evidence indicates the potential health risk for consumers living in areas involved in illegal dumping of waste.

The study compared the profile of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, frequently occurred in food, in milk (N=22) and meat/fish based (N=18) baby foods available on the Italian market. PAH total levels, markers (Regulation EC/835/2011) and carcinogenic PAHs were determined by high- performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD). The average of total PAHs was 52.25 μg kg-1 in milk and 11.82 μg kg-1 in meat/fish based baby foods. The levels of PAH markers were higher than the permissible EU limits of 1 μg kg-1 in 18.2% and 77.7 % milk, and 5.6% and 44.4 % meat/fish based baby foods. Milk based samples showed significant higher values (P < 0.05) of carcinogenic and possible carcinogenic hydrocarbons than meat/fish based products. The Margins of Exposure (MOE) value of milk based baby food samples indicated a potential concern for consumer health. Monitoring programs, and good agriculture and manufacture practices should be recommended.

To assess the potential impact of the industrial activity on food safety and risk for consumers, the aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in 69 samples of wild and farm Mytilus galloprovincialis, collected in sites of coast of Gulf of Naples, Tyrrhenian Sea. All hydrocarbons were found in samples. Higher levels of pyrolytic PAHs were in wild than in farm mussels. Benzo(a)pyrene exceeded the Regulation (EC) n.835/11 levels of 1 μg/kg in 15 samples (71.42%) of wild and 25 samples (65.79%) of farm mussels. System of sum of 4 hydrocarbons exceeded the law level in 15 samples (71.42%) of wild and 21 samples (55.26%) of farm mussels. Wild mussel levels showed a potential impact of pyrolytic sources of PAH on food safety. Occurrence of carcinogenic PAHs should be a cause for concern, in areas where the mussels are being farmed for human consumption.

Edible tissues from 10 marine species, collected from the Gulf of Naples in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy) between February and July 2003, were analysed for the presence of organochlorine pesticides hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and DDTs (p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, and p,p′-DDD), and 20 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The PCB levels (calculated as the sum of all the determined congeners) were found to be the highest (from 56.8 to 47909.5 ng/g on lipid basis), followed by the DDTs (sum of p,p′-DDT and its metabolites

Several polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) investigated in soft tissues of the frequently monitored Mytilus galloprovincialis were compared to those of Ensis siliqua, a highly dispersed and economically important bivalve species, though rarely investigated. Overall PCBs had higher concentrations than OCPs in both species with a prevalence of tri- tetra-and penta-chlorinated biphenyls in E. siliqua and a prevalence of hexa- hepta and octa-chlorinated biphenyls in M. galloprovincialis. E. siliqua emerges as a suitable complement to mussels for monitoring PCBs and OCPs pollution.

Measuring organochlorine compounds in muscle tissue of European eels from the Garigliano River in Campania (Italy), overall PCBs emerged as the most abundant pollutants, followed by DDTs, Dieldrin and HCB. Target PCBs, IUPAC nos. 118, 138, 153 and 180, were the dominant congeners accounting for 64.2% of total PCBs. Among OCPs, p,p'-DDE was detected in all eels, always with higher concentration levels than other OCPs; p,p'-DDT was frequently detected, about 93.3% of the sample. The high and statistically significant correlations between concentration and length as well as weight of eels suggest that the organochlorine compounds concentrations tend to increase with the size and consequently with the age. Concentrations of DDTs and PCBs detected were similar to those reported in studies relative to France, UK and Sweden. As regards toxicological risk for human health, in general OCPs residual levels were below the limits established for fish and aquatic products. Conversely, the concentrations of PCBs exceeded the limit set by the EU for terrestrial foods. Our results imply that OCPs and PCBs are still important persistent chemical contaminants in Campania freshwaters, although their manufacture and use are banned or highly restricted.

We have focused our study on the concentrations of non essential trace metals Pb, Cd and Cr and essential heavy metals Zn and Cu, in the liver and kidney of raptor species from different areas of the Calabria region in Italy, with the aim of obtaining information concerning the quality and the contamination level of their habitat. No significant differences related to sampling areas and gender were found, while significant differences were found in metal concentrations among species. Mean Cd concentrations in the kidneys were generally 1.5-10 fold higher than hepatic ones, while Pb was mostly concentrated in the liver; a different pattern in tissue Cr concentration was observed between species. Referring to essential metals, Cu levels were higher in the liver, whereas higher Zn concentrations were constantly present in the kidneys. The ratio between kidney and liver metal concentrations (K:Ls) was also evaluated. The measured concentrations in toxic elements can be considered as indicative of chronic exposure to low amounts of pollutants. The essential metal concentrations were in the range of physiological values and did not show the presence of any deficiency or excess of metal. The present study can be considered as a starting point in the study of a possible correlation between levels of pollutants and the appearance of any adverse effects in raptor species in the Calabria area.

In 2001, samples of liver (n = 38) and perirenal fat (n = 25) (only in males) were taken from European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populating a hilly, wooded protected area in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. Samples were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocycloexane alpha-, beta- and gamma-isomers (alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH), alpha-endosulfan, aldrin, dieldrin and endrin, and the seven PCB 'indicator' congeners IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180, in order to investigate the current state of contamination of the area and to assess the possible toxicological risks for the monitored species. p,p'-DDE was detected in 95% of the liver and perirenal fat samples (n = 63), at concentrations ranging from < dl to 629.3 ng/g lipid weight, which were much higher than those found for HCB and gamma-HCH. The concentrations of the other measured organochlorine pesticides and metabolites were below the detection limit in all the samples. PCBs were found in 97% of the liver and perirenal fat samples, at total levels ranging between < dl to 414.5 ng/g lipid weight. The hepta- and hexa-chlorinated congeners 180, 153 and 138 were predominant and comprised more than 70% of the total seven PCBs in both the liver and perirenal fat samples. In the male roe deer, significantly higher concentrations of HCB, p,p'-DDE and PCBs were found in the liver than in the perirenal fat (P < 0.001). Hepatic levels of p,p'-DDE and PCBs were significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). No significant differences in organochlorine concentrations were observed between juvenile and adult males in either tissue sample (P > 0.05). Females were not statistically tested because they were all adults. The levels of organochlorine contaminants were well below those associated with adverse reproductive effects and lethality in mammals.

Liver samples of 12 species of birds of different trophic levels, collected during the period 1998-2000 from coastal areas of the Campania region, Southern Italy, were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCs), such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), gamma-hexachlorocycloexane (gamma-HCH), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and the seven PCB "target" congeners, IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180. p,p'-DDE was present in all the samples analyzed, at concentrations ranging from 4 to 4504 ng/g wet wt, which were much higher than those found for HCB, dieldrin, and p,p'-DDD. The concentrations of the others OCs were below the detection limit in all the samples. PCBs were found in all the bird species at levels ranging between 6 and 8431 ng/g wet wt. The hepta-, hexa-, and penta-chlorinated congeners 180, 153, 138, and 118 were predominant since, in almost all the species, they contributed to more than 98% of the total seven determined PCBs. No significant differences in mean concentrations of organochlorine pesticides are detected between single species or between species grouped according to their feeding habits (p > 0.05). However, p,p'-DDE levels were higher in carnivorous species than in omnivorous and insectivorous ones (carnivorous > omnivorous > insectivorous). Concentrations of total PCBs were significantly higher in omnivorous birds than in carnivorous (p < 0.01) and insectivorous ones (p < 0.001), whereas carnivorous birds exhibited significantly higher total PCB levels than insectivorous ones (p < 0.01). Marked differences in total PCB concentrations were found also between single species (from p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Levels of OCs and PCBs were generally below the thresholds known to affect reproduction, however, mean hepatic concentrations of total PCBs in the yellow-legged herring gull (Larus cachinnans), black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus), and kestrel (Falcus tinnunculus) were far higher than those estimated to elicit immunosuppressive effects and possibly increase susceptibility to parasitoses.