OCCURRENCE OF PHTHALIC-ACID ESTERS (PAES) IN COMBINED FEEDSTUFFS AND ADIPOSE TISSUES OF SWINE AND CATTLE

Pilot studies of concentrations of phthalic acid esters in combined fe edstuffs (n = 21) and porcine (n = 6) and bovine (n = 6) adipose tissu es were conducted in the district of Hodonin in 1997. The samples were collected repeatedly in two feed processing plants and three swine an d two cattle farms. Mean concentrations (mg/kg of original sample) of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and sum o f DBP + DEHP in combined feedstuffs were 0.207, 0.216 and 0.423, respe ctively. The corresponding values for porcine adipose tissue (subcutan eous back fat) were 3.363, 0.505 and 3.868, respectively, and for bovi ne adipose tissue (fat capsule of right kidney) 2.537, 0.790 and 3.327 , respectively. The concentration of the sum of DBP + DEHP in feedstuf fs permissible in the Czech Republic, (4.0 mg/kg of original sample) w as exceeded in three of six pigs (4.260, 4.520, 6.920) and one of six cows (4.750). The widespread environmental contamination by PAEs, thei r adverse effects on live organisms and our findings of impermissible concentrations in adipose tissues of food animals rank them among topi cal hazardous contaminants also in the Czech Republic.