Chronic arsenicosis in cattle in West Bengal, India

Sci Total Environ. 2010 Nov 6. [Epub ahead of print]
Datta BK, Mishra A, Singh A, Sar TK, Sarkar S, Bhatacharya A, Chakraborty AK, Mandal TK.
Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, 37, K.B. Sarani, Kolkata 700037, West Bengal, India.

Abstract
Thirty Milch cattle were selected randomly from a village of Nadia district of West Bengal, India containing high arsenic in water and soil samples. Milk, feces and hair samples were collected to analyze arsenic status in animals. Water and straw samples were also estimated for arsenic. Milk products prepared from milk of cattle rearing in arsenic prone village were also collected to quantify total arsenic and speciation of arsenic in milk and feces samples were also carried out. It was observed that high amount of arsenic was present in milk, feces, hair of cattle and water and straw samples in arsenic prone village. Milk product also contained significant amount of arsenic than that of milk product of control village. Speciation study revealed arsenite fraction was mainly eliminated through milk, whereas organoarsenic species were mainly excreted through feces.