monitoring of lead in topsoil, forage, blood, liver, and kidneys in cows in a lead-polluted area in slovenia (1975–2002) and a case of lead poisoning (1993)

The paper presents the results of a prolonged research in a lead-polluted area. Extensive systematic studies of lead concentrations in topsoil, forage, blood, liver, and kidney in cows on farms within 1–10 km around the lead mine and smelter were carried out. After installation of a filter in 1978, lead concentrations began to decrease. However, when toxic levels of lead were within normal reference values, the authorities stopped to finance the project. In 2002, the research was concluded. A review of studies showed that the protective filter was effective; during the period 1975–2002 mean lead in forage dropped from 584.0 ± 324.0 to 5.5 ± 2.9 mg/kg, and the mean blood lead levels dropped from 1.251 ± 0.580 to 0.069 ± 0.041 mg/kg. Three years after the filter was installed the amount of lead in the liver and kidneys had normalized. Closely related to our research was also a case of cow lead poisoning.