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An evaluation of dogs’ exposure to benzophenones through hair sample analysis Cover

An evaluation of dogs’ exposure to benzophenones through hair sample analysis

Open Access
|Apr 2024

Abstract

Introduction

Benzophenones (BPs) are used in various branches of industry as ultraviolet radiation filters, but they pollute the natural environment, penetrate living organisms, and disrupt endocrine balance. Knowledge of the exposure of domestic animals to these substances is extremely scant. The aim of the study was to investigate long-term exposure of companion dogs to BPs and relate this to environmental factors.

Material and Methods

Hair samples taken from 50 dogs and 50 bitches from under 2 to over 10 years old were analysed for BP content with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

The results revealed that dogs are most often exposed to 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3) and 4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1). Concentration levels of BP-3 above the method quantification limit (MQL) were noted in 100% of the samples and fluctuated from 4.75 ng/g to 1,765 ng/g. In turn, concentration levels of BP-1 above the MQL were noted in 37% of the samples and ranged from <0.50 ng/g to 666 ng/g. Various factors (such as the use of hygiene and care products and the dog’s diet) were found to affect BP concentration levels. Higher levels of BP-3 were observed in castrated/spayed animals and in animals that required veterinary intervention more often.

Conclusion

The results obtained show that the analysis of hair samples may be a useful matrix for biomonitoring BPs in dogs, and that these substances may be toxic to them.

Language: English
Page range: 303 - 312
Submitted on: Nov 6, 2023
Accepted on: Apr 3, 2024
Published on: Apr 11, 2024
Published by: National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2024 Sławomir Gonkowski, Julia Martín, Andrzej Rychlik, Irene Aparicio, Juan Luis Santos, Esteban Alonso, Krystyna Makowska, published by National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.