Levels of lead and cadmium in mineral supplements for cattle commercialized in Londrina

Abstract

We measured lead and cadmium concentrations in samples of mineral mixtures commercialized in Londrina city. Lead and cadmium content were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Considering maximum concentrations recommended by National Research Council (1996) and Association of American Feed Control Officials Incorporated (2001), of the 10 analyzed samples, 06 had values greater than 30 ppm of lead and all of them had values greater than 0.5 ppm of cadmium. These findings show the necessity for careful industrial monitoring because some mineral mixtures contain sufficient lead and cadmium to cause bovine toxicity.