Lead and cadmium in tissues from horse, sheep, lamb and reindeer in Sweden

Levels of lead and cadmium were determined in tissues of muscle, liver and kidney from horse, lamb, sheep and reindeer in Sweden during the pears 1994 -1997. Mean levels of lead in muscle, liver and kidney from horse were < 0. 002. 0.13 and 0.037, from lamb < 0.002, 0.031 and 0.053, from sheep < 0.002 , not ana lysed and 0.046, and from reindeer 0.003, 0.13 and 0.13 mg/fresh weight, respectively. The mean levels of cadmium in muscle, liver and kidne y from horse were 0.042, 2.5 and 18, from lamb 0.0019, 0.031 and 0.12, from sheep 0.0034, not analysed and 1.0, and from reindeer 0.003, 0.60 and 2.7 mg/fresh weight, respectively. Comparisons with literature data were attemp ted. In some cases the results could differ by several orders of magnitude. It cannot be ruled out that some of the differences between studies might be due to analytical differences. making comparisons very difficult.