Biological half-lives of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

The biological half-lives of five dibenzo-p-dioxins and two dibenzofurans were determined in rainbow trout following a single oral exposure. Estimated half-lives ranged from 2 d for 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin to 43 d for 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin among the dioxins, and from 12 d for octachlorodibenzofuran to 24 d for 3,6-dichlorodibenzofuran. No consistent relationship was shown between half-life and the degree of chlorination. Absorption efficiencies varied from 2 to greater than 30%, although most values ranged from 5 to 16%.