title: Cadmium, zinc, lead, and copper in livers and kidneys of cattle in the neighbourhood of zinc refineries.
abstract: Cattle in the Kempen area (in the province North-Brabant, the Netherlands) were investigated for cadmium, lead, zinc, and copper in livers and kidneys. The animals originated from farms located within a 20 km radius around several zinc refinery plants. The local soil is polluted with zinc and cadmium because of a thermal refining process used in the past.Mean cadmium organ concentrations were 2.5 times, and mean lead organ concentrations were 1.5 times higher than the concentrations found in controls. Copper levels tended to be decreased, but zinc levels did not differ from controls.The observed cadmium and lead organ concentrations did not indicate intoxication of the animals, but 22% of the kidneys and 3% of the livers investigated trespassed the maximum tolerance limit of cadmium with regard to human consumption.Continuous control of cadmium organ contents in organs from slaughtercattle kept in cadmium-polluted areas is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology, Central Veterinary Institute, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Spierenburg
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: De Graaf
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Baars
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Brus
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tielen
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Arts