EVALUATION OF BLOOD LEAD AND CADMIUM STATUS IN SHEEP GRAZING ON STREET GARBAGE IN ASSUIT GAVERNORATE,

Hoda Mostafa, Doha Yahia, Mahmoud Roshdie

Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt; 2Animal Health Research Institute, Assiut Governorate, Egypt; 3Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt

Corresponding author email:hodagaadee@yahoo.com

Accept Date: Apr 21, 2012 01:13

Abstract :

The goal of the present study is to evaluate blood lead and cadmium status in sheep grazing on street garbage. A total number of 30 ewes (2 – 3 years old) were subjected to study. Animals were classified into two groups, the first group (No.= 20) included animals grazed on street garbage in Egypt, the second group (No.= 10) were selected from sheep lived indoor at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. Blood lead concentration was 1.44 ± 0.16 (ppm) in the street garbage group and was 0.38 ± 0.17 (ppm) in the Indoor group. Blood cadmium concentration was 0.16 ± 0.02 (ppm) in the street Garbage group and was 0.008 ± 0.004 (ppm) in the Indoor group. Statistical comparison of the two groups revealed that street garbage group had a higher blood lead and cadmium concentrations than the indoor group. In conclusion, the increased blood lead and cadmium in sheep grazing on street garbage indicated the continuous exposure to the two elements and bear significant health hazard on the health condition of animals and on human health. Key words: Key words: sheep, lead, cadmium, street, garbage