Polychlorinated Biphenyl Contamination of Domestic Turkeys from Building Materials

A field investigation was undertaken to determine the source of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in commercially reared turkeys. The sporadic nature of the residues indicated a source other than feed; 206 samples were collected from the farm, 105 samples were analyzed, and 32 were positive for PCBs. The positive samples consisted primarily of turkey tissues and building materials. A ceiling vapor seal/insulation consisting of white plastic, brown adhesive, and a small amount of retained spun glass contained over 500 ppm PCB, similar to an Aroclor 1254/1260 mixture. The congener profile in turkey fat was consistent with that of the vapor seal when the influences of weathering and biodeg-radation/bioaccumulation were considered. The old vapor seal, pieces of which were observed to fall into the turkey pens, was apparently consumed by the birds and resulted in the violative residues in a small proportion of the flock. Removing loose plastic and recovering with newer materials reportedly alleviated the turkey residue problem.