ABSTRACT
As a consequence of the former use of chlordecone (CLD) in the French West Indies, this pesticide is still present in soils, with subsequent contamination of water, crops, animals (Dubuisson et al. 2007; Coat et al. 2011), and human impregnation through food (Guldner et al. 2010). Indeed, about one-fourth of the total agricultural acreage of these two French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, Martinique) are moderately to heavily polluted. As a consequence, CLD has been detected in about one-third
11.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 143 11.2 Exposure of Livestock .................................................................................. 144
11.2.1 Potential Sources of Animal Exposure............................................. 144 11.2.2 Evaluation of Soil Intake .................................................................. 146 11.2.3 Rearing Practices and Soil Intake .................................................... 147 11.2.4 Relative Bioavailability of CLD Present in Soils and
Consequences on Animal-Derived Product Contamination ............ 147 11.2.4.1 Relative Bioavailability ...................................................... 147 11.2.4.2 Impact of Soil Ingestion on Animal-Derived
Product Contamination ...................................................... 148 11.3 Chlordecone Behavior in the Animal Organism: From Its Absorption
to Its Excretion .............................................................................................. 148 11.3.1 Absorption ........................................................................................ 150 11.3.2 Distribution ....................................................................................... 150 11.3.3 Metabolism ....................................................................................... 153 11.3.4 Excretion ........................................................................................... 153 11.3.5 Half-Lives ......................................................................................... 154
11.4 Regulatory Frame, Food Safety Concerns, and Perspectives ....................... 154 11.5 Conclusions ................................................................................................... 155 References .............................................................................................................. 156
of carcasses of bovines collected in the frame of the national survey plans carried out since 2008, and the concentrations exceed the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 100 µg kg−1 fat (regulation 839/2008/EC) in 6%–9% of them. Another point to give attention in the context of the French West Indies is the elevated proportion of self-consumption. Indeed, in the French West Indies homegrown foodstuffs are commonly consumed and may lead to non-negligible exposure to CLD for selfconsumers (Dubuisson et al. 2007). While many studies have been conducted on the specic subject of vegetable contamination (Woignier et al. 2014; Clostre et al. 2014a), little information is currently available on CLD levels in products of animals reared in backyard systems by small holders.
