Cattle hair as a bioindicator for short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffin monitoring on cattle farms.

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs) are hazardous industrial chemicals that tend to bioaccumulate in animal-derived foodstuffs through the food supply chain. However, the lack of reliable noninvasive bioindicators hinders the monitoring of farm animal exposure to CPs. In this study, 169 cattle hair samples were collected from beef cattle farms in six Chinese provinces, with further beef, feed, and soil samples being collected in Hebei province. Geographical differences in CP concentrations were observed in the hair samples, and CP concentrations in samples collected from Hebei province decreased in the following order: hair > feed > beef > soil. C 10–11 Cl 6–7 and C 14 Cl 7–8 were the predominant SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively, in all the hair, beef, feed, and soil samples. CP concentrations in hair samples significantly correlated with those in beef, feed, and soil samples, indicating that hair can be used as a bioindicator of cattle exposure to CPs. The possible health risks associated with exposure to CPs through beef consumption, especially for children and high-volume beef consumers, should be further investigated. [Display omitted] • The chlorinated paraffin (CP) contents of cattle hair samples varied geographically. • Higher CP levels were found in hair than in beef, feed, or soil from the same region. • The CP contents of beef, feed, hair, and soil samples correlated significantly. • Hair serves as a noninvasive bioindicator of beef cattle exposure to CPs. • Certain population groups are at risk of CP exposure through beef consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]