Lead poisoning in cattle associated with batteries recycling: High lead levels in milk of nonsymptomatic exposed cattle

Abstract

Lead poisoning associated to residuals of batteries recycling was diagnosed in a small<br><br>herd of Holstein cattle. In this outbreak, 10 animals showed clinical signs of lead poisoning, 5<br><br>dead and others saved after chelating therapy with CaNa2EDTA. Mean blood lead level of<br><br>clinically intoxicated cattle was 0.624 ± 0.388ppm and the levels varied between 0.320 and<br><br>1.300 ppm. Blood and milk lead levels of 9 exposed but unaffected cattle ranged 0.250 to<br><br>0.590 and 0.060 to 0.290 ppm respectively. Although blood and milk lead levels of those<br><br>cattle sharply decreased after removal of lead source, some of them showed higher than<br><br>acceptable levels when samples analyzed 60 days later. Products of all lead exposed cattle<br><br>may not be safe for human consumption for several weeks and analysis should be performed<br><br>to ensure their safety.