ELEMENTAL AND POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL CONTENT OF TISSUES AND INTESTINAL ARYL-HYDROCARBON HYDROXYLASE-ACTIVITY OF GUINEA-PIGS FED CABBAGE GROWN ON MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SLUDGE

Guinea pigs were fed cabbage grown on municipal sewage sludge from Syracuse, NY, or soil (control) as 45% of their diet for 100 days. Among 45 elements determined, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were higher in the sludge-grown cabbage and specific tissues of the respectively fed animals than controls. Cadmium was elevated in kidney, liver, and spleen, while only liver exhibited increased lead levels in the guinea pigs fed the sludge-grown plants. Polychlorinated biphenyls were found at higher concentrations in the sludge-grown cabbage and livers of the respectively fed guinea pigs than in the controls. Intestinal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was 129% higher than controls in the animals fed the sludge-grown cabbage. All animals grew normally and showed no signs of overt heavy metal toxicosis. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.