Lethal residues of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined experimentally in four species of wild birds given dietary dosage of 1,500 ppm of Aroclor 1254® until one-half had died, sacrificing the survivors, chemically analyzing the tissues, and comparing results in dead birds and survivors. For all species, residues of 310 ppm or higher in the brain showed increasing likelihood of death from PCB poisoning. Residues in dead birds did not differ among species except for starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), which averaged slightly lower than the others. However, the species differed in the length of time to 50% mortality and in the levels of PCBs in brains at sacrifice.
Concentrations in bodies and livers were not diagnostic when expressed on a wet weight basis. On a lipid basis, however, concentrations of PCBs in bodies of dead birds were higher than in sacrificed birds, but in both groups residues increased with time, suggesting that overlapping values could be expected.
Loss rates were followed in grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) fed 1,500 ppm PCBs for 8 days, then given untreated feed and sacrificed at intervals of 7, 28, 56, 112, and 224 days. PCB residues were lost from bodies at somewhat irregular rates; overall, the rate was estimated at 0.77% per day (half-life 89 days). Residues in brains generally were related to the percentage of body fat, but also showed a somewhat irregular pattern.
