Concentration of some heavy metals in cattle reared in the vicinity of a metallurgic industry

The occurrence of heavy metals was determined in the biological material of cattle slaughtered on agricultural farms in the fallout region of a metallurgical plant. In 1998, tissues and organs (n=42) from 21 cattle (muscle, liver) were analysed for the presence of Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu and Fe on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Unicam Solar 939, UK). The highest mean levels of heavy metals were recorded in the liver Pb 1.072; Cd 0.456; Zn 79.946; Cu 84.091; Fe 146.822; Ni 0.231 mg/kg, respectively. The highest mean levels in the muscle were Pb 0.671; Cd 0.126; Zn 81.180; Cu 6.312; Fe 51.800; Ni 0.350 mg/kg, respectively. From the results obtained concerning heavy metals in the area of observation, we can conclude that lead and cadmium are of particular ecological importance. We consider it necessary to implement ecological measures in the area of observation with respect to human consumption of beef.

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