Persistent chemicals in Tasmanian devils

"The 'Save the Tasmanian Devil Program' of the Tasmanian Government commissioned an independent review of a small study of chemical residues in 23 devils affected with Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) and 22 unaffected devils. Depending on cost and sample size chemicals were measured in either 8 or 16 DFTD +ve and DFTD –ve animals.
A range of persistent chemicals were measured. Most animals had detectable residues in their fat or liver of: dioxins, dibenzofurans, PCBs, brominated diphenyl ethers, arsenic, cadmium and lead. No residues were found for 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate). 2 of 32 had DDE. 1 had mercury. No detectable residues were found for a further 27 herbicides and pesticides".