Abstract

In this paper, first results are reported of a monitoring program for the analysis of dioxins in cow's milk from dairy farms in the vicinity of municipal waste incinerators (MSWs) and a metal reclamation plant in The Netherlands. Levels are expressed in picograms of 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxicity equivalents (TEQ) per gram of milk fat, calculated on the basis of international toxicity equivalence factors (TEF) of individual congeners. Samples consisted of time-averaged sampling of cow's milk during periods of one month of in total 24 dairy farms in the neighbourhood of the MSWs of Amsterdam, Duiven, Zaandam, Alkmaar, Leiden and the Lickebaert-area and a farm near the metal reclamation plant of Culemborg, which participate in a monitoring programme.