Heavy metal residues in tissues of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the Central Zemplin region of the Slovak Republic

• Published in: Czech Journal of Animal Science Vol. 48; no. 3
• Main Authors: Piskorova, L, Vasilkova, Z, Krupicer, I. (Akademia Vied, Kosice (Slovak Republic). Parazitologicky Ustav)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2003
• Subjects: ARSENIC; ARSENICO; CADMIO; CADMIUM; CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION; CHROME; CHROMIUM; CONTAMINACION QUIMICA; CONTAMINANTES; CONTAMINATION CHIMIQUE; CROMO; FOIE; FOXES; HIGADO; HIGIENE VETERINARIA; HYGIENE VETERINAIRE; INSPECCION DE LA CARNE; INSPECTION DES VIANDES; JABALI; KIDNEYS; LEAD; LIVER; MEAT INSPECTION; MERCURE; MERCURIO; MERCURY; MUSCLE; MUSCLES; MUSCULOS; PLOMB; PLOMO; POLLUANT; POLLUTANTS; REIN; RENARD; REPUBLICA ESLOVACA; REPUBLIQUE SLOVAQUE; RESIDU; RESIDUES; RESIDUOS; RINONES; SANGLIER; SLOVAK REPUBLIC; VETERINARY HYGIENE; WILD BOAR; ZORRO
• ISSN: 1212-1819

Samples of liver, kidneys and muscles of wild boars and red foxes were collected from an area contaminated by emissions of the Central Zemplin region (Slovak Republic) in 1998/1999 in order to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr) and As. Percentual proportions of samples from wild boars tissues exceeding the hygienic limit values were as follows: Hg - liver 53.3 %, kidneys 73.3 %, muscles 13.3 %; Cd - liver 20 %, kidneys 26.6 %, muscles 13.3 %; Cr - muscles 6.6 %; As - muscles 6.6 %. The percentage of samples from red foxes exceeding the hygienic limit values were as follows: Hg - liver 44,4 %, kidneys 66.6 %, and muscles 5.5 %; Cr - liver 22.2 %, kidneys 27.3 %, muscles 33.3 %; As - muscles 22.2 %. These results document that the occurrence of heavy metals in the tissues of wild animals is an urgent problem.