Heavy metals residues in animal products, in Maramures County during 1997-2008

Lead, cadmium and mercury have the capacity to acumulate and concentrate along the trophic chains. This leads to the registration of the most harmful effects in the consumers on top of the food chain, which most often are the human beings. Lead is among the major environmental pollutants in the county of Maramures, with specific industry, precisely because of its cumulative character, with well known toxic effects. Industrial fallout in the Baia Mare area led to the pollution of the atmosphere, water, soil and vegetation, as a health risk factor of animals and animal products. Processed data were obtained from the DSVSA Maramures and represent the quantities of metal residue (Pb. Zn. Cd. Cu.) in tissues, organs, meat products, fish, milk, honey and fodder. Samples came from processing units in the county of Maramures. The total number of samples processed is 299. The investigation concerning lead included several areas in the county: Baia Marea area, Ferneziu, Baia Sprie, Sighetu Marmaţiei, Grosi, Tăuţii Magherăusi. Lead, being among the major environmental pollutants, due to its cumulative effect, was determined in significant amounts in the analysed biological samples. This has repercussions on public health. In the areas Baia Mare, Ferneziu, Tăuţii Măgherăusi were recorded exceeding of CMA, which confirms that lead is a major pollutant in these areas, compared to other regions considered unpolluted, such as area Sighetu Marmaţiei. Copper was determined in quantities exceeding CMA only in muscular tissue samples from cattle, swine and poultry, while zinc limits have been exceeded only in milk samples