0141G35 



cadmium concentrations (0.005 to <0.05 ppm) (Table 8). The 

 diagnostic use of cadmium in blood is not recommended. 



Cadmium concentrations in cattle urine are also of limited 

 diagnositc use. The narrow range between background values (<0.15 

 ppm) and the only toxic concentration reported in the reviewed 

 literature (0.7 ppm, Wright et al. 1977) (Table 10) suggests urine 

 may not be a reliable indicator of cadmium toxicity. 



Toxic hazard levels selected for cadmium levels in cattle 

 kidneys and liver are 44 ppm and 25 ppm respectively. The kidney 

 hazard level is based on studies by Powell et al. (1964) and 

 Wright et al. (1977) in which all concentrations equal or greater 

 than 44 ppm cadmium in cattle kidneys were associated with toxico- 

 sis. Similar results were obtained by these authors for cadmium 

 concentrations in cattle liver, meaning all values in excess of 

 24.4 ppm were associated with toxicity. Puis (1981) reported 

 values of 100 to 250 ppm and 50 to 160 ppm cadmium in cattle 

 kidneys and liver, respectively, as toxic under chronic condi- 

 tions . 



The recommended toxic hazard level for cadmium concentrations 

 in cattle hair is >9 ppm cadmium. This hazard level was derived 

 from the work of Powell et al . (1964) who found cadmium concentra- 

 tions from 9 to 13 ppm in cattle hair to be associated with 

 toxicosis. Wright et al . (1977) found levels of 15 to 21 ppm to 

 be associated with subclinical toxicosis and levels of 57 to 88 

 ppm to be associated with clinical toxicosis. These authors found 

 cadmium concentrations in cattle hair usually reached 100 ppm 

 before death. Puis (1981) reported 40 to 100 ppm cadmium in 

 cattle hair as toxic. The >9 ppm toxic cadmium hazard level 

 should be an indication of possible subclinical toxicosis and 

 should only be applied to large herds of cattle where statistical- 

 ly valid and representative data can be obtained. Large varia- 

 tions in hair cadmium concentrations between individual animals 

 make an absolute application of this hazard level meaningless. 



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