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

Conference · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 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-
• Journal Information: Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States), Vol. 12; Conference: 22. annual conference on trace substances in environmental health, St. Louis, MO, USA, 23-26 May 1988
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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