Bone Lesions in Growing Swine Fed 3% Cement Kiln Dust as a Source of Calcium1

Abstract

Cement kiln dust (CKD) samples of which have been reported to stimulate growth in cattle and sheep, was fed to weanling pigs in a 42-d experiment. CKD at levels of 1.5 and 3.0% was added to a corn-soybean meal-oats-whey-type diet containing inadequate amounts of Ca (.4% of the diet) to provide final dietary Ca levels of .85 and 1.3%. A diet containing 3% limestone (1.3% dietary Ca) served as a positive control. Body weight gain was depressed by 3.0% CKD, and histopathological lesions of the humerus, not typical of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism or rickets, were observed. The lesions detected were osteonecrosis, thinning of the cortex and reduction in the width of the epiphyseal cartilage. Width of the proximal epiphyseal plate and cortical index of the humerus (width of cortex divided by total diameter at narrowest point of diaphysis) were smaller in pigs fed 3% CKD than in pigs fed 3% limestone. CKD contained 2.3% A1, 15 ppm Cd and 110 ppm Pb, providing 690, .45 and 3.3 ppm of A1, Cd and Pb, respectively, in the diet containing 3% CKD. Kidney, liver and bone ash concentrations of these three minerals were not increased by CKD, and typical toxicity signs were absent. It is concluded that CKD may contain one or more factors that interfere with normal bone metabolism in growing pigs when the diet contains 3.0% CKD.

The effect of cement dust exposure on haematological and liver function parameters of cement factory workers in Sokoto, Nigeria

“…The observed lowered haemoglobin concentration and PCV and raised white cell and platelet counts suggest that cement dust exposure may have a deleterious effect on the bone marrow, the source of these cells. Indeed, severe bone lesions have been seen in weanling pigs fed cement kiln dust as a way of boosting dietary calcium (Pond et al, 1982). It may be interesting to further investigate this.…”

“…In the current study we have hypothesized that such liver (Kanta et al, 1986) and bone (Pond et al, 1982) lesions observed following experimental exposure to cement dust in animals may occur in humans occupationally exposed to cement dust. Should this notion be correct, it is likely that parameters of liver and bone function in cement dust exposed subjects may be different from normal.…”

“…Also evidence from experimental animals suggests that cement dust may have deleterious effects on the liver and bone. Specifically, intravenous injection of silica, a major component of cement dust, into the tail vein of rats resulted in large liver granulomas and hepatic silicosis (Kanta et al, 1986) and cement kiln dust fed to pigs to boost dietary calcium resulted in bone lesions (Pond et al, 1982).…”

Dose response effect of cement dust on respiratory muscles competence in cement mill workers

“…In addition, Brockhaus et al (1981) and Dolgner et al (1983) reported that thallium containing atmospheric dust caused by emission of a cement plant affects the population living around the plant and subjects exhibited increased urinary thallium concentration as well increased thallium level in hair. It is important to note that the intercostal muscles might be equally affected on exposure of the subject with cement dust as already reported for lungs, heart, liver, spleen, bone and hair (Pimentel & Menezes 1978;Brockhaus et al 1981;Hogue et al 1981;Pond. et al 1982;Dolgner et al 1983;Reichrtova 1986;Maciejewska 1987).…”

“…Maciejewska (1987) showed that the silica is deposited in the heart as well the spleen when introduced by intra-tracheal route and causes fibrosis. In addition, Pond et al (1982) added the cement kiln dust (CKD) in animal feed and found lesions of the humerus bone along with osteonecrosis, thinning of cortex and reduction of epiphyseal cartilage. In addition, Brockhaus et al (1981) and Dolgner et al (1983) reported that thallium containing atmospheric dust caused by emission of a cement plant affects the population living around the plant and subjects exhibited increased urinary thallium concentration as well increased thallium level in hair.…”