THE EFFECT OF INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS ON HEAVY-METAL OCCURRENCE IN ORGANS AND TISSUES OF CATTLE IN THE VICINITY OF KOSICE

The occurrence of heavy metals was determined in the biological materi al of cows slaughtered on agricultural farms in the fallout region of the metallurgical plant Kosice. In 1996, tissues (n = 96) from 17 catt le (muscle, heart, liver, kidney, ovaries, uterus) were analysed for t he presence of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Ni on the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (UNICAM SOLAR 939). Levels reaching the highest per missible hygiene limits for heavy metals Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn were determine d in 27 of the 96 samples, namely concerning Pb, Cd, Ni and Zn. The hi ghest levels of heavy metals were recorded in the liver (Pb, Cd and Zn ), the heart and kidneys (Pb), and the muscle tissues (Pb and Ni). Fro m the results obtained concerning heavy metals in the area of observat ion, we infer that lead and cadmium are of particular ecological impor tance. We consider it necessary to implement ecological measures in th e area of observation.