Abstract

Because of the presence of municipal waste incinerators (MSWs) just across the Dutch-Belgian border in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, the Netherlands, elevated dioxin levels in cow's milk were expected in this region. From September 3 to December 4, 1991, milk samples were collected from six dairy farms near Sluis, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, and analysed for PCDDs and PCDFs From each farm, milk samples collected during periods on one month were pooled to monthly averaged samples prior to analysis. Dioxin levels in montly averaged milk samples from six diary farms in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen in the neighbourhood of the Belgian MSW ranged from 1.2+/-0.1 to 5.9+/-0.3 pg TEQ/g of fat. These levels are elevated when compared to the background level for dioxins in cow's milk (0.8-2.5 pg TEQ/g of fat) in the Netherlands. In milk from dairy farm Go-C, with its pastures closest to the incinerator at Westkapelle, the highest levels were found (3.5+/-0.2 and 5.9+/-0.3 pg TEQ/g of fat, respectively). It cannot be excluded that levels in the milk from this dairy farm, may occasionally exceed the level of 6 pg TEQ/g of fat, the current legislation level for dioxins in cow's milk. The congener pattern in cow's milk from the dairy farm Go-C differed from the usual pattern observed in cow's milk sampled in the vicinity of MSWs. It is not yet clear whether this difference is due to the emissions of the Belgian MSW or other possible sources of dioxins.