Persistent organic pollutants in white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) near a magnesium smelter: Spatial distribution and human health risk assessment

Abstract

A magnesium refining facility in Quebec was a known point source of persistent organic pollutants namely polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins and furans, and hexachlorobenzene. Contaminants concentrations were measured in the fat tissue of local white-tailed deer with the assistance of the local community and hunters. Concentrations in the deer from 1999, one year before the smelter opened, were compared with deer from 2002. Results showed a significant increase in PCBs from 1999 to 2002, and total PCB concentrations showed significant decreases with distance from the smelter. Many of the mid-range PCB homologues that bioconcentrate sharply in deer showed similar relationships. Sigmacoplanar PCBs and Cytochrome P450 1A expression in liver also showed a significant inverse relationship with distance in 2002. Results of a human health risk assessment indicated that the number of deer meal portions required to exceed safe consumption levels for PCDD/Fs and coplanar PCBs increased with the distance from the smelter.