Bullet-derived lead in tissues of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus)

• Published in: European journal of wildlife research Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 231 - 235
• Main Authors: Dobrowolska, A., Melosik, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.05.2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cervus elaphus; Contamination; Deer; Ecology; Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management; Lead; Life Sciences; Original Paper; Studies; Sus scrofa; Tissues; Wildlife; Zoology; Red deer; Bullet wounds; Bullet-derived lead; Wild boar
• ISSN: 1612-4642; 1439-0574
• DOI: 10.1007/s10344-007-0134-y

Bullet-derived lead in game food products is an important source of human contamination. Careless removal of tissues from around the bullet pathway in the animal body results in elevated lead doses being ingested by humans. To assess bullet-derived lead contamination of soft game tissues, muscle tissue samples were collected from ten wild boars and ten red deer immediately after they had been shot. The samples were collected from around the entry and exit wounds, from around the bullet pathway at different sites along its length, and from a distance of about 5, 15, 25, and 30 cm from the bullet track. The individuals examined differed in the lead contents in their tissues surrounding the entry and exit wounds and at different sites along the bullet pathway. One of the animals showed as much lead as 1,095.9 mg kg −1 wet weight in the tissue surrounding the bullet track near the entry wound, 736.0 mg kg −1 being recorded around the exit wound.