Some heavy metals in livers and kidneys from cattle in a cadmium-polluted area in the Netherlands

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States)

OSTI ID:5876688

Baars, A J; Spierenburg, T J; de Graaf, G J

During almost a century, zinc smelters in an area on the Dutch-Belgian border caused significant Cd-pollution of the local soil. Cattle grazing in this area was investigated for Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu in livers and kidneys. Organ concentrations of Cd and Pb were 2.5 and 1.5 times above control organ concentrations, respectively. Copper levels were slightly lower, and Zn levels equaled controls. Intoxication of the animals was not indicated. However, 22% of the kidneys and 3% of the livers were found to be above the maximum tolerance limits with respect to human consumption. For public health reasons a continuous survey of Cd organ contents from slaughter-cattle kept in Cd-polluted areas is necessary.

• Research Organization: Central Veterinary Institute, Lelystad (Netherlands)
• OSTI ID: 5876688
• Report Number(s): CONF-8805159-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States) Journal Volume: 12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BODY
CADMIUM
CATTLE
CONTAMINATION
COPPER
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ELEMENTS
EUROPE
FOOD CHAINS
GLANDS
KIDNEYS
LAND POLLUTION
LEAD
LIVER
MAMMALS
METABOLISM
METALS
NETHERLANDS
ORGANS
POLLUTION
RUMINANTS
SMELTERS
SOILS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
WESTERN EUROPE
ZINC