ABSTRACT
The lead (Pb) isotopes ²°6Pb and ²°8Pb are the final products of the radioactive decay of ²³8U and ²³²Th, respectively. Soils in the municipalities of Pedra and Venturosa, Brazil, present high levels of these radionuclides. We hypothesized that forage plants growing in these soils may take up high amounts of Pb and, consequently, intoxicate dairy cows. To test this, we quantified Pb concentrations in 23 forage samples from this region. Pb concentrations varied from 5 to 344 mg kg⻹. The highest values are one order of magnitude above the reported limit, therefore, indicating high risk of Pb contamination for dairy cows.
Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases/epidemiology , Lead Poisoning/veterinary , Lead/analysis , Soil Pollutants/analysis , Animals , Brazil/epidemiology , Cattle , Climate , Dairying , Diet/statistics & numerical data , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Environmental Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Environmental Monitoring , Epidemiological Monitoring , Lead Poisoning/epidemiology , Plants/chemistry , Soil/chemistryABSTRACT
(210)Pb is widely distributed in the environment. In this context, the aim of this research has been: (1) to determine (210)Pb concentrations in milk and dairy products from farms located in the cities of Pedra and Venturosa in Pernambuco, Brazil; and (2) to calculate the dose due to the ingestion of (210)Pb in these products. The ion exchange resin method was used and the concentration of (210)Pb varied from 62 to 650 mBq l(-1) in fresh milk, from 202 to 1,494 mBq kg(-1) in curdled cheese and from 11 to 253 mBq l(-1) in milk whey. The estimated dose due to ingestion of milk and dairy products in this region was 0.2 Sv, which is at least two orders of magnitude above the maximum recommended levels.
