Absorption of Benzene Hexachloride in Poultry12

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
As demonstrated by a microbioassay technic, benzene hexachloride was absorbed by poultry tissues following treatment of roosts with various formulations of the compound. The level of absorption was below the avg. threshhold of detection by taste and odor tests. Absorption was demonstrated following the use of either high gamma prepns. or a mixture of the isomers of benzene hexachloride. Absorption was not demonstrable by bioassay following roost treatments of material containing 0.5% gamma isomer except for a very slight amt. present in the skin of one bird. When formulations containing 1.2 to 2.4 % gamma isomer were used, absorption was demonstrated in skin, flesh and liver. Although chickens were continously exposed to treated roosts, their tissues lost their toxicity, as measured by bioassay, within 3-6 wks. following roost treatment, except in one instance where a slight residual was detected in the skin.