Blood Pb and δ-ALAD inhibition in cattle and sheep from a Pb-polluted mining area

Rodríguez-Estival, Jaime; Barasona, José A.; Mateo, Rafael

Blood Pb and δ-ALAD inhibition in cattle and sheep from a Pb-polluted mining area

2012

Rodríguez-Estival, Jaime | Barasona, José A. | Mateo, Rafael

The effects of Pb pollution on cattle and sheep raised in an ancient mining area were studied through the use of blood Pb (PbB) levels and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) activity. Lead levels in livestock blood from the mining area (n=110) were significantly elevated when compared to the controls (n=79). In 91.4% of cattle (n=58) and 13.5% of sheep (n=52) sampled in the mining area, PbB levels corresponded to subclinical exposure (6–35μg/dl). Two young cattle (<2 years) from the mining area (n=5) had PbB levels indicative of clinical poisoning (>35μg/dl). Elevated PbB was also accompanied by δ-ALAD activity inhibition in blood, which confirms that measurable effects of Pb poisoning were taking place. Observed PbB levels suggest that a potential risk to human consumers of beef from the Pb polluted areas may also exist, as has been shown previously for game meat from the same mining area.

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