Arsenic toxicity in livestock growing in arsenic endemic and control sites of West Bengal: risk for human and environment

Disorders of the Reproductive Health of Cattle as a Response to Exposure to Toxic Metals

“…Moreover, milk contains inorganic arsenic, while methylated arsenic does not pass through the udder epithelium of cows. Furthermore, Das et al (2021) [8] indicated that the accumulation of arsenic in milk mainly occurs in casein (83%), then in fat (10%), in whey protein (4%), and in skimmed milk (3%). Casein, due to its structure of numerous phosphate groups and phosphoserine units, binds arsenic in these units [8].…”

“…Contamination with lead and mercury occurs most often in the case of environmental pollution, usually from mines, or waste gases, as well as pesticides and herbicides used on pastures [ 5 ]. According to Das et al (2021) [ 8 ], livestock may be a threat to the toxic effects of arsenic through the consumption of animal products and meat. It was found that, in cows exposed to arsenic, this metal is excreted into their milk.…”

“…It was found that, in cows exposed to arsenic, this metal is excreted into their milk. Arsenic has also been detected in contaminated areas in chicken eggs, and chicken, goat, duck, and cow meat [ 8 ]. The latest EFSA report [ 9 ], identified that the human exposure to arsenic occurs via dermal and inhalation exposure, but also via food and drinking water [ 9 ].…”

“…There are no generally accepted safe levels of arsenic presence in food, including products of animal origin and there is a lack of unified international standards for this toxic metal. Nevertheless, the WHO sets an acceptable arsenic intake of 3.0 μg/kg body weight [ 8 ]. Water intended for human consumption in the EU has a parametric value of 10 μg/L arsenic, different from what is related in EU legislation [ 9 , 11 ].…”

“…As it was noted by the FAO/WHO report (2018), Codex Alimentarius established various total levels of arsenic forms in different food products (10 μg/L for natural mineral water; 100 μg/kg for edible fats, oils, fat spreads and blended spreads; 500 μg/kg for food grade salt; or 200 μg/kg for polished rice and 350 μg/kg for husked rice) [ 9 , 12 ]. Das et al (2021) [ 8 ] found that the arsenic content of animal products was higher in contaminated areas than in unpolluted areas. It was found that As is detected in cow’s milk and in poultry liver, which is characterized by a greater arsenic deposition than meat [ 8 ].…”