Appraisal of Lead and Cadmium Concentrations in Herbage and Milk of Ewes During Different Lactation Periods: A Case Study in Sargodha, Pakistan

The present investigation was carried out to assess the concentration of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in 20 herbage and 80 ewe's milk samples collected on different intervals in Sargodha, Pakistan. The higher concentration of Cd in the herbage showed maximum concentration (0.063mg/kg) during September and lowest (0.031mg/kg) during October. The Pb was likewise highest (0.043 mg/kg) during September and lowest (0.028 mg/kg) during November These metal concentrations in the herbage were far lower than the toxic levels already established for livestock. In the milk samples the highest Cd concentration (0.253mg/L) was recorded in October and the lowest (0.193 mg/L) during December. The Pb concentration was highest (0.160 mg/L) during the month of November and the lowest (0.090 mg/L) during December. These results showed that metal concentration were lower than those recommended by the International Standards and Codex.