Lead poisoning in cattle and buffalo near primary lead-zinc smelter in India

Varying degrees of lead (Pb) poisoning was recorded in cows and buffaloes n ear a primary lead-zinc smelter in India. Affected animals had history of c linical signs characterized by head pressing, violent movement, blindness a nd salivation. These animals revealed considerably high lead levels in bloo d (1.43 +/- 0.07 ppm) and milk (0.75 +/- 0.19 ppm). Animals from the same p lace without the history of clinical signs suggestive of Pb poisoning recor ded lower blood Pb levels than the affected animals: however, their blood P b was higher than that reported for cattle in rural and urban areas of Indi a. Affected animals also carried high levels of cadmium (Cd) in blood (0.11 +/- 0.01 ppm) and milk (0.05 +/- 0.01 ppm). These values were considerably higher than those for rural cattle in India. The findings indicated varyin g degrees of exposure of animals to Pb and Cd in the vicinity of the smelte r.