Implication of the transfer of trace metals from sewage sludge to man
Twenty five trace elements have been detected in sewage sludges, and of these lead and cadmium content are of particular importance in relation to the extent to which they may constitute a hazard to health (by direct or indirect transfer to man). The trace metal content of sludges depends on both the quantity and quality of domestic sewage and industrial effluent; after deposition on soil, their availability to plants and groundwater varies with the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Lead and Cd were found to accumulate in farm soil heavily treated with sewage and undigested sludge but not in grassland regularly receiving low doses of liquid sludge. Lead and Cd may reach man in food of either animal or vegetable origin. The contribution of these toxic metals to the total dietary intake of man in England and Wales is at present considered to be acceptably low. Studies on cattle grazed on sludge treated pastures did not show a significant increase in the total Pb or Cd content of milk or muscle when compared with samples from cattle fed on untreated pasture. The liver Pb and Cd content of cattle from treated pastures did not indicate that this meat was unfit for human consumption. 26 references, 7 figures, 3 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Dept. of Health and Social Security, London, England
- OSTI ID:
- 5873955
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-740696-
- Journal Information:
- Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 8; ISSN PUMTA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
560306 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BODY FLUIDS
CADMIUM
CATTLE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAMINATION
COWS
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
FOOD
FOOD CHAINS
GROUND DISPOSAL
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LEAD
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
MILK
RUMINANTS
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
VERTEBRATES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES