Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Analysis of Lead Levels in Local Jordanian and Imported Sheep Meat and Organs Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A total of two hundred and forty random samples were collected equally from mutton, liver and kidney of 40 local (Jordanian) and 40 imported Australian sheep (40 each sub sample). Fresh samples were collected from 12–18 m old sheep slaughtered in abattoirs in Jordan in 2002. Besides, 40 fresh mutton samples of imported Chinese sheep were collected from different markets. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was used to estimate the lead (Pb) content of the samples. Results indicated that Australian mutton had significantly higher (p < 0.05) mean of lead pollution than that of the local and Chinese muttons. The mean concentration of lead (mg/kg) in Australian, local and Chinese muttons was 4.30, 3.15 and 2.17, respectively. The mean concentration of lead in Australian sheep liver was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that recorded in the local sheep liver. The mean concentration of Pb in Australian and local sheep liver was 5.69 and 4.52 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentrations of Pb in the kidney of the Australian and local sheep were not significantly different (p > 0.05). They were 4.59 and 3.87 mg/kg, respectively.

On the basis of the samples lead level, 85, 92 and 87.5% of local, Australian and Chinese mutton respectively, exceeded the international safe permissible limit of 1.0 mg/kg. Furthermore, the effect of Pb on animal and human health was discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amodio-cocchieri, R. and Fiore, P.: 1987, ‘Lead and cadmium concentrations in livestock bred in Campania, Italy’, Bull. Environ. contam. Toxicol. 39(3), 460–464.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Attala, A.: 1998, Heavy Metal Residues in Mutton Tissues and Organ with Relation to its Public Health. MSc. Thesis (Meat Hygiene) Faculty. Vet. Med. Zagazig University.

  • Boulis, W. A.: 1993, Some Trace Elements in Tissues of Animals Slaughtered in Assiut Province. MSc. Thesis (Meat Hygiene), Faculty. Vet. Med. Assiut University.

  • Egyptian, Organization for Standardization and Quality control: 1993 Maximum Level for Heavy Metal Contamination in Food. ES No. 2360.

  • El-Mowafi, F. A.: 1995, Role of Some Mineral in Fish Nutrition, Ph.D. Thesis, (Animal Nutrition), Faculty. Vet. Med. Zagazig University.

  • FAO/WHO: 1992, Codex Alimentarius Commission, Standard Programme Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants, 24th Session Hague, Geneva: WHO.

  • Goyer, R. A.: 1986, Toxic Effect of Metals. In: J. Doull, C. D. Klassen, and M. O. Amdur (eds), Casarett and Doulls Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, Macmillan, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hapke H. J.: 1987, Toxikologie für Veterinarmedizine; 2nd Edition, Enke-Verlag, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joint FAO/WHO Food Standard Programme: 2003, {Codex Committee on Food Hygiene}, 35th Session, Orlando, Florida, USA, January 27–February 1.

  • Massadeh, A. M. and Snook, R. D.: 2002, J. Environ. Monit. 4, 567–572.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mertiz, W., Trace Elements in Human and Animal Nutrition, 5th Edition, Vol. 2, Acadamic Press INC, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publisher, 1986.

  • National Academy of Science: 1972, Lead Airborne Lead in Perspective. Committee on Biologic Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants. Division of Medical Sciences, National Research Council, Natl. Acad. Sic. Washington, DC.

  • Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of official Analytical Chemists; A. O. A. C.: 1990. Washington, DC.

  • Salisbury, D. C., Cham, W. W. and Sachenbrecker, P. W.: 1991, J. A. O. A. C. 74(4), 587–591.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seady, N. I.: 2001, Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Meat and Offal of Various Animal Speciesslaughtered in Menoufia Governorate. Ph.D. Thesis, Faculty. Vet. Med., Moshtohor, Zagazig University (Benha Branch).

  • Tsoumbaris, P.: 1990, Heavy Metals Determination in Foodstuff, PhD Thesis, Thessaloniki, Greece.

  • Tsuchiya, K.: 1986, Chapter 14 Lead, in: L. Freiberg, G. F. Nordberg and V. G. Vouk (eds.), Hand-book on the Toxicology of Metals, Vol. 11. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vos, G., Lammers, H., Delft, W. V. and Van, C.: 1991, ‘Arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in meat, livers and kidneys of sheep slaughtered in the Netherlands’, Zeitschtift für Lebensmittel Untersuchung und Forschung, 187(1), 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, N. I.: 1987, ‘The Future of Multi-Element Analysis. Environ. Health. 2nd Nordic Symposium Odense’, WHO Regional, office for Europe, Copenhagen. 20, 118.

  • Zantopoulos, N., Antoniou, V., Petsaga, V. and Zdragas, A.: 1996, ‘Copper concentrations in sheep liver and kidney in Greece’, Vet. Hum. Toxicol, 38(3), 184–185.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ZEBBS, 1990, The Centre for Surveillance and Evaluation of Environmental Chemicals in German.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan

    Adnan Massadeh

  2. Department of Pathology and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, Jordan

    Labib Al-Sharif & Raed Dalale'H

  3. Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

    Mohammad Hassan

Authors
  1. Adnan Massadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Labib Al-Sharif
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Raed Dalale'H
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mohammad Hassan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adnan Massadeh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Massadeh, A., Al-Sharif, L., Dalale'H, R. et al. Analysis of Lead Levels in Local Jordanian and Imported Sheep Meat and Organs Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Environ Monit Assess 115, 87–93 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-6497-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-6497-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation