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Elemental Analysis of Bovine Organs Collected From Dagoretti Abattoirs for Heavy Metals and Radionuclides Using TXRF and Gamma Spectrometry By Serah Njeri Kamau Mburu Abstract Heavy metals are defined as a subset of elements that exhibit metallic properties. They occur naturally in the ecosystem with large variations in concentration. Also due to the natural radioactivity, radioactive species are in soils, plants, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and consequently in animals and our bodies. Human activities with time have added to the amounts of heavy metals and radionuclide in the ecosystem. Living Organisms require varying amounts of certain heavy metals in their bodies. Excessive levels can be damaging to the organism and can be considered toxic. Some heavy metals may turn toxic for certain organisms under certain conditions. All in the name of advanced technology, we use radionuclide in agriculture, human and animal diagnosis, prevention and treatment. This broad use cause accumulation and together with that of heavy metals in the ecosystem would cause serious illness in humans. Human diseases are complicated and may not necessarily be due to the bacterial, viral and parasitic infection as it was earlier thought. Metal toxicity and radionuclide exposure result to ailments that have similar symptoms as ailments due to bacterial, viral or parasitic infection. Heavy metals and radionuclide are not easily biodegraded or bio-transformed, they can remain as persistent toxicants within ecosystems and specific food chains. A diet of meat in Kenya is presentable and acceptable for anyone who assumes to be feeding well. Meat inspection in the slaughter house is done by veterinary doctors. The overall procedure in the inspection is by incisions, slicing, palpating as well as checking on the physical appearance and the characteristic smell of the carcasses parts. The veterinary doctor finalizes by stamping the carcass as a sign of quality. Although the work of the veterinary doctors is appreciated and acknowledged, it is important to realize that some of the parameters for determining meat quality need more advanced laboratory techniques. This study utilizes the TXRF and gamma spectrometry techniques to check on heavy metals and radionuclide’s contaminants in meat. The laboratory techniques using TXRF and Gamma spectrometry can be used as an additional monitoring tool for meat product quality.