Accumulation of Arsenic and Cadmium in Foods of Animal Origin Collected from the Local Markets in Northeastern Region Thailand

Concentrations of arsenic and cadmium were determined in broiler chickens, cattle and swine collected from the local markets of the northeastern Thailand. Average concentrations of arsenic based on a wet weight basis in muscle, liver and kidney were 0.022±0.008, 0.068±0.025, 0.286±0.073 μg/g cattle; 0.045±0.022, 0.402±0.096, 0.812±0.335 μg/g chickens; and 0.116±0.044, 0.479±0.142, 1.012±0.500 μg/g swine, respectively. Cadmium levels in meat of cattle, chickens and swine samples were 0.024±0.010, 0.028±0.006 and 0.042±0.015 μg/g, respectively. In liver and kidney, average of cadmium levels was 0.286±0.062 and 0.412±0.074 μg/g cattle; 0.312±0.092 and 0.645±0.068 μg/g chickens and 0.368±0.106 and 0.758±0.120 μg/g swine, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that chickens and swine levels were higher of these elements than in cattle. None of samples, however, exceeded the arsenic limits set by Thailand regulations and the average concentrations of cadmium in animal tissues were still within acceptable levels of Thailand standards.