The Occurrence of Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead Residues in Cattle Feed Collected in Kırıkkale, Türkiye: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) residues in 15 cattle feed collected from dairy and beef cattle breeding farms located in 6 different districts (Kırıkkale Province, Yahşihan, Karakeçili, Balışeyh, Delice and Keskin) of Kırıkkale. The quantitative analysis of the As, Cd and Pb levels of the samples was analyzed by ICP-MS. Arsenic and Pb residues were found in all of the collected samples, while Cd residues were found in 13 (86. 67%) of the collected samples. In the samples with heavy metal residues; the mean value ± standard deviation for As, Cd, and Pb were found as 0.1475±0.1060 mg/kg, 0.0382±0.0079 mg/kg and 0.1944±0.1074 mg/kg respectively. The maximum tolerable limit in cattle feed is 2 mg/kg for As, 5 mg/kg for Pb, and for Cd in cattle feed is 1 mg/kg for Cd according to an official announcement (2014/11) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Turkey. The results of this study showed that detected As, Cd and Pb levels in cattle feeds were below the tolerable limit. Therefore, it is suggested that the heavy metal pollution in terms of As, Cd, and Pb in feed does not pose a risk for cattle farming in Kırıkkale province.