Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) decontamination kinetics in lactating goats (Capra hircus) following a contaminated corn silage exposure.

This study aimed to determine the kinetics of contamination and decontamination of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in milk of lactating goats. Four goats were fed during 39 days with corn silage collected in an area accidentally contaminated and then with uncontaminated silage during 20 days. Concentrations of DL-PCBs + PCDD/Fs in milk exceeded rapidly (<15 days) the European limit value and approached steady state after 5 weeks. The decontamination kinetics in milk included first a rapid elimination phase (<10 days) followed by a slower elimination phase of 33, 51, and 59 days for DL-PCBs, NDL-PCBs, and PCDD/Fs, respectively. Therefore, in lactating goats, PCBs and PCDD/Fs contaminated forage raises concerns in terms of food safety. The study also indicates that a decontamination process of lactating animals remains feasible; 20 days was considered to be sufficient to obtain a DL-PCBs + PCDD/Fs level in milk below the regulatory value.