Levels of cadmium contamination of domestic animals [cattle] in the region of Warmia and Masuria

Liver and kidneys collected in 1998 from cattle bred in the region of Varmia and Mazuria were analysed for the levels of cadmium, as well as copper and zinc. The mean concentration of cadmium younger animals (<2 years) was 0.425 mg/kg in kidneys, and 0.159 mg/kg in liver, being much lower than the levels found in older (>2 years) cattle. Notwithstanding this, cadmium levels were not high enough to be dangerous from the toxicological point of view. The obtained data suggest that cadmium is gradually and progressively accumulated in the animals tissues, especially in kidneys. Contents of copper and zinc in the organs remained at a physiological level. Data obtained for many individual liver and kidney samples suggest also that there might be a relationship between cadmium concentration and levels of copper and zinc. Higher cadmium concentrations were accompanied by lower levels of copper and zinc, or of one of these elements.