210Pb in forage consumed by dairy cows

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2009 Dec;83(6):943-6. doi: 10.1007/s00128-009-9869-3. Epub 2009 Sep 19.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine (210)Pb concentrations in forage from farms located in the municipalities of Pedra and Venturosa, in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, where rolled blocks of mafic rock with a high percentage of U(3)O(8) were found. The concentrations of (210)Pb varied from 2 to 503 Bq kg(-1) in the forage dry matter samples evaluated. Due to the elevated levels of (210)Pb in the forage samples, it is concluded that this radionuclide is highly available to be ingested by dairy cows and this could represent a hazard to the human population due to possible milk contamination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Dairying*
  • Diet / statistics & numerical data
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis*
  • Lead Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Milk / chemistry*
  • Plants / chemistry
  • Radiation Monitoring
  • Radioactive Pollutants / analysis*

Substances

  • Lead Radioisotopes
  • Radioactive Pollutants