Predators organochlorines

Many of the components of PCB and PBB mixtures are both lipophilic and stable, chemically and biochemically. Similar to the persistent organochlorine insecticides and their stable metabolites, they can undergo strong bioconcentration and bioaccumulation to reach relatively high concentrations in predators. 

Schick, C.T., L.A. Brennan, J.B. Buchanan, M.A. Finger, T.M. Johnson, and S.G. Herman. 1987. Organochlorine contamination in shorebirds from Washington State and the significance for their falcon predators. Environ. Monitor. Assess. 9 115-131. 

De Smet, K.D. 1987. Organochlorines, predators and reproductive success of the red-necked grebe in southern Manitoba. Condor 89 460-467. 

However, even though exposure of biota to xenobiotics does not necessarily result in toxification of these organisms, the possibility that such compounds could enter the food chain and could therefore ultimately be consumed by the final predator — humans — has awakened serious concern over the dissemination of such compounds. A good example is provided by the concern over possible adverse effects on human health, including reproduction, that could result from the consumption of fish from the Great Lakes that may be heavily contaminated with organochlorine compounds including PCBs (Swain 1991). 

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