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A computer model of cadmium metabolism in the sheep with regard to the human food chain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

S.H. Prankel*
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge, CB3 OES, UK
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Extract

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential toxic heavy metal which is added to soil in phosphorous fertilizers and sewage sludge. Cd enters the human food chain via animals fed on crops from these soils, food of vegetable origin and smoking. In chronic exposure situations Cd accumulates in the liver and kidney of animals and man. Intake resulting in a Cd concentration of over 200μg/g wet weight in the kidney cortex results in kidney damage in humans (Friberg et al., 1974). With the prohibition of disposal of sewage sludge at sea in 1998, it is likely that more Cd will be deposited on soils. Current limits for Cd in animal feed are intended to prevent food from animal origin from exceeding legal Cd limits. This work examines the behaviour of Cd in the ovine body and models organ Cd from given intakes to investigate whether current limits in feed are safe and result in animal products fit for human consumption.

Type
Programme
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1999

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References

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