Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Lead levels in blood from cattle residing near a lead smelter

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Quality; (United States)
;  [1]
  1. Montana State Univ., Bozeman (United States)
Concentrations of Pb in whole blood from 222 cattle (Bos tarus L.) representing nine herds were determined. Lead blood levels were significantly elevated for herds near a primary lead smelter compared to a background herd. Herd Pb blood levels were significantly correlated to distance from the smelter, and to soil Pb concentrations. They were also moderately correlated to vegetation Pb levels. Soil may be more important than forage as a source of Pb for these cattle. Immature cattle, less than 1 year old, had higher Pb blood levels than mature cattle. A total of 15 animals exhibited Pb blood values above 35 [mu]g dL[sup [minus]1]. Twenty-one animals had elevated Pb blood levels. Most cattle tested near the smelter and all cattle from the background herd had Pb blood levels in the normal diagnostic range.
OSTI ID:
6901641
Journal Information:
Journal of Environmental Quality; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality; (United States) Vol. 21:2; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English