RESEARCH ON EFFECTS OF POLLUTION IN LIVESTOCK

Livestock sharing man's environment are exposed to an array of toxic p ollutants which may be hazardous to their health and production. The h ealth effects of pollution in livestock vary from subtle or chronic in toxication to overt acute toxicities depending on source and kind of p ollutant, extent and route of exposure extent and degree of other inte racting agents, and species, age, physiology and nutrition of the expo sed livestock population. Residue of pollutants in livestock products adversely effect their quality and cause potential threat to public he alth due to contamination of food chain. In India, problem of pollutio n is related to poorly planned developmental projects and overuse of n atural resources by ever-increasing human population. Review of the wo rk done during the 5 decades of post-independence indicated emerging t rend of human and livestock health problems due to pollution in the co untry. Acute and chronic lead toxicosis, fluorosis and pesticide poiso ning have been recognised as major health hazards of pollution in live stock with the increasing frequencies in recent past indicating growin g threat of pollution to the livestock health. Scientific data also re vealed residual effects of pollutants such as toxic heavy metals and p esticides in animal food products. However, as compared to medical dat a, fewer studies have been conducted to evaluate ill effects of pollut ion in livestock in the country. There is a need for intensive studies and also to make recommendations as to how best to limit ill effects of pollution in livestock.