Cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in carcasses of food animals

ABSTRACT

Random samples from muscles, liver, kidneys and lungs of 75 carcases of cattle, buffaloes and sheep [25 of each] were collected from Alexandria abattoir. Metal analysis revealed that the concentration of cadmium, copper, and lead in liver and kidneys was higher than that in muscles and lungs of cattle and buffaloes, while zinc [in both] were more predominant in the muscles and livers than kidneys and lungs. From other side, sheep carcases showed that cadmium and lead were predominant in kidneys as well as copper and zinc were higher in livers. Importance and the public health significance of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc were discussed