LEAD DETERMINATION IN AVIAN BLOOD - APPLICATION TO A STUDY OF LEAD CONTAMINATION IN RAPTORS FROM FRANCE

Marsh harriers and other raptors may become poisoned by ingesting lead gunshot in the flesh of their prey. Blood lead is a suitable indicato r of exposure to lead. The method usually used in our laboratory for t he analysis of human blood induced coagulation of avian blood. In this paper we report upon the optimization and quality control of a method to determine lead in avian blood samples. Samples were prepared using a diluent and matrix modifier. Analysis was carried out using graphit e furnace AAS with a L'vov platform and Zeeman-effect background corre ction. The method was validated using international intercalibration c omparisons of lead in human blood. The method proved to have a high de gree of sensitivity, reproducibility and accuracy. The detection limit was low (0.004 ppm). The method used is discussed in relation to thos e previously used for lead analysis in avian blood.