Environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls among raccoons (Procyon lotor) at the paducah gaseous diffusion plant, Western Kentucky, USA.

摘要: An investigation involving raccoons (Procyon lotor) as a sentinel species at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) in Western Kentucky (USA) delineated extent of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and PCB spatial distribution. Raccoon PCBs was demonstrated through analysis subcutaneous fat, abdominal liver, brain tissues from collected PGDP but also clearly evident reference area situated along Ohio River (USA). Raccoons with highest tissue concentrations appeared be those inhabiting areas nearest plant itself most likely that ventured into plants interior. Male had similar total fat (1.86 ± 0.64 μg/g) males site (1.41 0.35 μg/g), females higher body burdens than (9.90 6.13 μg/g vs 0.75 0.40 μg/g). Gross measurements radiation-producing materials revealed counts per minute exceeded background 61% compared 27% five beta were more twice background. Differences among trapping success, growth rates, serum chemistry parameters noted may have been related habitat other environmental population density factors.