Cadmium in the food chain near non-ferrous metal production sites

Abstract

Dietary cadmium (Cd) exposure was estimated for adults living in Cd-contaminated areas close to non-ferrous metal plants and compared with dietary Cd exposure in the general Belgian adult population. To evaluate the contamination levels of locally produced food items, 35 fruit samples, 97 vegetable samples, 98 samples of potatoes and 53 samples of meat, liver and kidney of cattle, which had resided for more than 18 months in the contaminated area, were analyzed for Cd. Mean Cd concentrations in fruit and vegetables were 1.1- to 9-fold higher than in samples from other regions at ambient Cd levels. Mean Cd concentrations in bovine meat, liver and kidney were 2-fold higher compared to samples from animals in other regions of Belgium. The estimated dietary intake was 31.3 and 63.3 microg day(-1) for average and large consumers, respectively, in the contaminated area, compared to 17 and 38.3 microg day(-1), respectively, for the general adult population. Excessive consumption of locally produced food items in areas close to non-ferrous metal plants could result in Cd intake levels exceeding the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI).

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effects of Cadmium Chloride and Sodium Selenite Alone or in Combination on the Liver of Male Sprague–Dawley Rats Assessed by Different Assays

“…main sources of Cd for their potential hazards for humans and animals [1][2][3]. Liver is a major target organ for showing toxic effects of Cd as a result of accumulation after both acute and chronic poisoning.…”

Concentrations of toxic heavy metals and trace elements in raw milk of Simmental and Holstein-Friesian cows from organic farm

“…Significant amounts of Cd and Pb can be transferred from contaminated soil to plants and grass, causing accumulation of these potentially toxic metals in grazing ruminants, particularly in cattle (López Alonso et al 2003; Miranda et al 2005). Accumulation of Cd and Pb in ruminants causes toxic effects in cattle, but also in humans consuming meat and milk contaminated with toxic metals (González-Weller et al 2006; Vromman et al 2008; Cai et al 2009). …”

EDTA functionalized magnetic nanoparticle sorbents for cadmium and lead contaminated water treatment

“…volcanic eruptions and forest fires) (Bandara et al, 2008) and anthropogenic activities (e.g. non-ferrous metals production (Vromman et al, 2008), electroplating (Islamoglu et al, 2006), manufacturing of NieCd batteries and pigments (Fthenakis, 2004), application of phosphate fertilizers (Mortvedt and Osborn, 1982), and burning of fossil fuels (Vouk and Piver, 1983)). Pb also is emitted from natural sources and anthropogenic activities (e.g.…”