TRACE-ELEMENT LEVELS IN LIVER AND KIDNEY FROM CATTLE, SWINE AND POULTRY SLAUGHTERED IN CANADA

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (2) , 159-163
Abstract
Levels of As, Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb were determined in .apprx. 650 samples of liver and kidney from cattle, swine and poultry slaughtered in Canada during 1979-81. In addition Zn levels were determined in livers and kidneys from swine, and Se and Zn levels were determined in the livers and kidneys from cattle. Depending on the element several methods of atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to analyze samples including flame, hydride generation, cold vapor generation and graphite furnace atomization. Analyses were also done by plasma emission spectroscopy. Levels of As > 2.0 .mu.g/g were detected in 0.9% of swine livers and 0.3% of swine kidneys. Cd levels > 1.0 .mu.g/g were detected in 0.3% of cattle livers, 10.8% of cattle kidneys, 1.8% of swine kidneys, 0.4% of poultry livers and 0.3% of poultry kidneys. Levels of Cu > 150 .mu.g/g were detected in 0.4% of cattle and swine livers. Levels of Pb > 2.0 .mu.g/g were detected in 1.4% of poultry livers and 1.6% of poultry kidneys. The highest level of Hg detected in all species was 0.25 .mu.g/g and the highest level of Se was 1.9 .mu.g/g. Zn levels of > 100 .mu.g/g were detected in 1.7% of cattle livers, 0.2% of cattle kidneys and 5.0% of swine livers.