A spatial, statistical approach to map the risk of milk contamination by β-hexachlorocyclohexane in dairy farms

Abstract

Abstract. In May 2005, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) was found in a sample of bovine bulk milk from a farm in the Sacco River valley (Latium region, central Italy). The primary source of contamination was suspected to be industrial discharge into the environment with the Sacco River as the main mean of dispersion. Since then, a surveillance programme on bulk milk of the local farms was carried out by the veterinary services. In order to estimate the spatial probability of β-HCH contamination of milk produced in the Sacco River valley and draw probability maps of contamination, probability maps of β-HCH values in milk were estimated by indicator kriging (IK), a geo-statistical estimator, and traditional logistic regression (LR) combined with a geographical information systems approach. The former technique produces a spatial view of probabilities above a specific threshold at non-sampled locations on the basis of observed values in the area, while LR gives the probabilities in specific locations on the basis of certain environmental predictors, namely the distance from the river, the distance from the pollution site, the elevation above the river level and the intrinsic vulnerability of hydro-geological formations. Based on the β-HCH data from 2005 in the Sacco River valley, the two techniques resulted in similar maps of high risk of milk contamination. However, unlike the IK method, the LR model was capable of estimating coefficients that could be used in case of future pollution episodes. The approach presented produces probability maps and define highrisk areas already in the early stages of an emergency before sampling operations have been carried out.

Endocrine Disrupters and Food Safety

“…Obviously,each main foo commodity presents specific points for concern and attention. Milk and dairy productsare vulnerable to the prolonged contamination of pastures by persistent ED, related with the illegal handling of industrial wastes and leading to chronic contamination hotspots [68,69]. The lipid content of ingested milk and dairy products also matters; for instance, the abitual consumption of partially skimmed milk in infancy may reduce exposure to dioxinlike compounds and the resulting body burden by 10-20% [70].…”

Endocrine Disrupters and Food Safety

“…Milk and dairy products are vulnerable to the prolonged contamination of pastures by persistent ED, related with the illegal handling of industrial wastes and leading to chronic contamination hotspots [68,69]. The lipid content of ingested milk and dairy products also matters; for instance, the abitual consumption of partially skimmed milk in infancy may reduce exposure to dioxin-like compounds and the resulting body burden by 10-20% [70].…”

An Update on the Safety of Foods of Animal Origin and Feeds

“…In particular, a novel approach combining epidemiological data and new technologies for spatial analysis (e.g., GIS, remote sensing, and satellite photo-interpretation) could be developed as an informative-operative tool for the assessment and management of environmental risks. In this respect, a GISbased geo-statistical approach has recently given promising results for mapping risk of milk contamination by pesticides (Battisti et al, 2013).…”