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Abstract The present investigation was carried out to assess the concentration of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in 20 herbage and 80 ewe's milk samples collected on different intervals in Sargodha, Pakistan. The higher concentration of Cd in the herbage showed maximum concentration (0.063mg/kg) during September and lowest (0.031mg/kg) during October. The Pb was likewise highest (0.043 mg/kg) during September and lowest (0.028 mg/kg) during November These metal concentrations in the herbage were far lower than the toxic levels already established for livestock. In the milk samples the highest Cd concentration (0.253mg/L) was recorded in October and the lowest (0.193 mg /L) during December. The Pb concentration was highest (0.160 mg /L) during the month of November and the lowest (0.090 mg /L) during December. These results showed that metal concentration were lower than those recommended by the International Standards and Codex.
Keywords: Ewe milk, herbage, cadmium, lead.
Increase in industrial and agricultural processes have resulted in increased concentration of metals in the air, water and soil. These metals are taken in by plants and consequently accumulate in their tissues. Animals that graze on such contaminated plants and drink from polluted waters also accumulate such metals in their tissues and milk if lactating (Jelínek et al., 1993) and subsequently find their way into the food chain. This ever increasing pollution has given rise to concern on the intake of harmful metals in humans (Lopez et al., 2002). Metal levels in uncontaminated milk is generally low, but may accumulate along the food chain at different trophic levels (Gallo et al., 1996). The measurement of metal levels is helpful not only in ascertaining risk to livestock but, also to human health and environmental quality as well (Houpert et al., 1997).
The levels of lead and cadmium in milk from animals grazing in pastures have been reported to exceed the permissible maximum limits (0.05 mg/kg body weight) recommended by Oskarsson et al. (1995) and may induce various complications in consumers and effects of that toxicosis are very pronounced in calves and lambs as well as in humans.
In Pakistan, at present, no data exists on heavy metal contamination of milk and dairy products from sheep. The aim of this work was to detect the concentrations of Pb and...