Transfer and distribution of radioactive cadmium in dairy cows

• Published in: International journal of environmental studies 1982-05, Vol.19 (1), p.47-51
• Main Authors: Van Bruwaene, R., Gerber, G. B., Kirchmann, R., Colard, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0020-7233; 1029-0400
• DOI: 10.1080/00207238208709964

The metabolism of radioactive cadmium was studied in lactating cows. Faecal excretion, secretion in milk and urinary excretion were followed after (a) a single oral application of 115mCdCl2, (b) a repeated oral application for 10 days of 115mCdCl2, (c) an intravenous injection of 115mCdCl2, (d) an oral administration of 109CdCl2 directly, and (e) oral administration of 109CdCl2 absorbed in maize leaves. Intestinal absorption was found to be two percent of the dose or less. Secretion into milk was small, and an approximate estimate for the transfer coefficient in milk of 1 × 10-4-1 × 10-3 days/1 was made. Cows sacrificed 131 days after oral application of 109Cd contained about 0.13 percent of the initial dose but only 0.025 percent after administration of maize. About 50 percent of the activity was found in liver and 20 percent in kidney. A tentative estimate of the transfer coefficient for liver yielded 0.02-0.2 days/kg for meat 1 × 10-4 - 1 × 10-3 days/kg.