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The Science of the total environment2003; 309(1-3); 117-126; doi: 10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00011-1

Lead poisoning combined with cadmium in sheep and horses in the vicinity of non-ferrous metal smelters.

Abstract: The diagnosis of lead poisoning combined with cadmium in sheep and horses living on farmland in the vicinity of non-ferrous metal smelters in Baiyin of Gansu province in China was based on laboratory findings as well as clinical signs. The concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc in soils, water, forages, feed and blood, hair and tissues of affected sheep and horses were determined in the surroundings of the smelters in Baiyin and controls. Haematological values were also measured. The concentrations of these elements in soils, forages, water and feed were significantly higher than those in the control area (P<0.01). The contents of lead and cadmium were 9.3 and 690 times in forages, respectively, 10 and 35.6 times in feed. The concentrations of lead and cadmium in blood, hair and tissues of the affected sheep and horses were significantly higher than reference values and control animals (P<0.01). The occurrence of anaemia in affected animals belonged to a hypochromic and microcytic pattern. Lead and cadmium intake levels, estimated according to the ingestion rates of forages, illustrates that the apported lead and cadmium through the ingestion of vegetation growing in the closest sites to the smelters were approximately 6.0 mg Pb/kg body wt./day and 1.1 mg Cd/kg body wt./day in horses, 21.4 mg Pb/kg body wt./day and 4.0 mg Cd/kg body wt./day in sheep, surpassing the fatal dosages for horses of 1.7 mg Pb/kg body wt./day and for sheep of 4.4 mg Pb/kg body wt./day and 1.0 mg Cd/kg body wt./day. It is, therefore, suggested that the disease of sheep and horses in this region is caused by lead poisoning combined with cadmium, mainly due to environment heavy metal pollution by industrial activity. Meanwhile, as such levels of contamination in animal food and grain pose a significant potential risk to human health, these results have formed the basis for subsequent research on levels of metal contamination in human tissues from affected populations. Thus, it can be seen that knowledge of lead and cadmium concentrations in livestock in this region is important for assessing the effects of pollutants on domestic animals themselves and contaminant intakes by humans.
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Publication Date: 2003-06-12 PubMed ID: 12798097DOI: 10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00011-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study documents the diagnosis of lead and cadmium poisoning in sheep and horses living near non-ferrous metal smelters in China. The high levels of these heavy metals in the environment seek to explain the occurrence of the disease in animals and the potential risk to human health.

Environment and Sample Examination

  • The research was conducted near non-ferrous metal smelters in the Baiyin region of Gansu province, China. Samples of soil, water, forage, feed, and biomass of affected sheep and horses were collected for analysis. These samples were compared to those from a control area.
  • The concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc were measured. The results showed that the levels of these elements in the soil, forage, water, and feed in the smelter vicinity were significantly higher than those in the control area.

Animal Examination

  • Biomarker samples were collected from the blood, hair, and tissues of affected sheep and horses for further analysis. The concentrations of lead and cadmium in these samples were significantly higher than reference values and samples from control animals.
  • The animals also showed clinical signs of lead and cadmium poisoning, including hypochromic and microcytic anemia, a condition that results in smaller, pale red blood cells.

Dietary Intake Levels

  • The lead and cadmium intake levels were estimated based on the ingestion rates of forages. It found that the amounts of lead and cadmium absorbed through eating local vegetation were far higher than the lethal dosages for both horses and sheep.

Human Health Implications

  • The findings of this study have significant implications for human health. High levels of contamination in animal food and feedstock present a potential risk to humans living in the area, especially those who rely on livestock for their food supply. Subsequent research is needed to investigate the levels of metal contamination in human tissues in the affected population.

Conclusion

  • The authors concluded that the disease in sheep and horses found in this region is primarily caused by a combination of lead and cadmium poisoning. Peavy metal pollution due to industrial activity is the main source of these toxic elements.
  • The knowledge of lead and cadmium concentrations in livestock in this region is important for assessing the effects of such pollutants on domestic animals and humans who consume their products.

Cite This Article

APA
Liu ZP. (2003). Lead poisoning combined with cadmium in sheep and horses in the vicinity of non-ferrous metal smelters. Sci Total Environ, 309(1-3), 117-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00011-1

Publication

The Science of the total environment
ISSN: 0048-9697
NlmUniqueID: 0330500
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 309
Issue: 1-3
Pages: 117-126

Researcher Affiliations

Liu, Z P
  • College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China. yzslzping@pub.yz.jsinfo.net

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cadmium / pharmacokinetics
  • Cadmium / toxicity
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity
  • Food Contamination
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Industrial Waste
  • Lead / pharmacokinetics
  • Lead Poisoning / veterinary
  • Metallurgy
  • Plants, Edible
  • Public Health
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / etiology
  • Sheep Diseases / pathology

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This article has been cited 28 times.
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