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Cadmium concentration in cattle tissues in the Czech Republic
Jiri Drapal1, Ladislav Steinhauser2, Kamil Stastny3
1Central Veterinary Administration of the State Veterinary Administration, Prague, Czech Republic.
Veterinarni Medicina
|June 23, 2025
Summary
Cadmium accumulates in cattle kidneys with age, posing a potential health risk to consumers. This study found significantly higher cadmium levels in older cattle kidneys, highlighting the importance of age-related monitoring for food safety.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Food Safety
Background:
- Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal with potential health implications for consumers through food products.
- Understanding cadmium accumulation in livestock is crucial for assessing food safety and public health risks.
- Cattle are a significant source of meat and dairy products, making them a relevant subject for toxicological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cadmium concentrations in cattle tissues (muscles, liver, kidney) across different age groups.
- To determine the age at which cadmium accumulation in cattle organs poses a health risk to consumers.
- To establish the correlation between cattle age and cadmium levels in edible tissues.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cadmium concentrations in the muscles, liver, and kidney of cattle from three age categories (≤8 months, ≤2 years, ≥2 years).
- Data collection spanned from 2014 to 2019.
- Statistical analysis including paired correlation coefficient (r), Spearman's coefficient (ρ), and t-test to assess cadmium concentration dependence on age and organ.
Main Results:
- Cattle over two years old exhibited higher average cadmium concentrations in the liver (0.10 mg/kg) and kidney (0.62 mg/kg) compared to younger cattle.
- A significant positive correlation was found between cadmium concentration in the kidney and cattle age (r=0.8258, ρ=0.92).
- Cadmium concentration in muscles was low and not significantly affected by age; however, kidney cadmium levels in cattle from 6 years old showed a non-significant difference from the maximum limit.
Conclusions:
- Kidney and liver tissues accumulate higher cadmium concentrations in older cattle, indicating an age-dependent accumulation.
- The age of cattle is a significant factor influencing cadmium levels in kidneys, suggesting a potential health risk for consumers.
- Monitoring cadmium levels in cattle, particularly in kidney tissue of older animals, is recommended for ensuring food safety.
