Lead and cadmium blood levels and transfer to milk in cattle reared in a mining area

Abstract

The presence of heavy metals in milk is a public health problem that negatively effects human health, especially infant health. This study evaluated the concentration levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in blood and its transfer to the milk of 20 cows in production in a rural community near the La Oroya Metallurgical Complex in Peru, which has emitted fine particulate matter for more than 90 years. Validated protocols were used for sample collection. The samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results of the analysis indicated that the levels, in mg/kg, of Pb in blood and milk were 0.38 AE 0.041 and 0.58 AE 0.018, respectively; Pb in milk was 54% higher than that in blood (P < 0.01). Cd levels, in mg/kg, in blood and milk were 0.016 AE 0.002 and 0.02 AE 0.007, respectively; milk had 28% more Cd than did blood (P < 0.05). The results for Pb in milk were compared with the Codex Alimentarius standard (0.002 mg/kg); the mean concentration of Pb in milk was 29 times higher than the acceptable limit, and the mean concentration of Cd was 2 times higher than the acceptable limit of the Romanian standard (0.01 mg/kg). The result could be attributed to the impact of environmental pollution by mining waste. In Peru, there are no norms for maximum Pb and Cd values, and the establishment of maximum value norms for these metals in milk is suggested.

Lead and Cadmium Bioaccumulation in Fresh Cow’s Milk in an Intermediate Area of the Central Andes of Peru and Risk to Human Health

“…In a livestock area located approximately 20 km from the La Oroya Metallurgical Complex, Pb and Cd concentrations of 580 and 20 µg/kg have been reported [10], with Pb contents higher than in the present study, but much lower in Cd. Said area milk has Pb as the main source of contamination present in the dust and vapours emitted by this industry that is deposited in the soil and water.…”

“…Fine particles laden with heavy metals can travel many kilometres through the air and settle in water and soil, bioaccumulate in pastures, and are transferred to crops and other livestock products for human consumption, such as milk [10,33,34].…”

Determination of Cd, Pb and Se in beef samples using aerosol dilution by ICP-MS

“…Moreover, the use of phosphate fertilizers may accumulate Cd in soils and pastures up to 10 mg kg −1 [10]. Both Cd and Pb may enter the food chain when pastures from contaminated areas are consumed, bioaccumulating in milk and organs such as liver and kidneys [30,31].…”

Peer Review #2 of "Lead transfer in the soil-root-plant system in a highly contaminated Andean area (v0.1)"

“…Lead transfer in the soil-root-shoot system The Pb content of the soil is transferred and bioaccumulates in the edible parts of the forage, being a direct route for its incorporation into the food chain, causing damage to soil microorganisms, plants, animals and humans (Tóth et al, 2016;Kryshna and Mohan, 2016;Hou et al, 2014;Chirinos-Peinado and Castro-Bedriñana, 2020).…”