Toxic elements in tissues of game animals

Between 1988-2000 nationally representative samples of muscle, liver and ki dney from 460 wild pigs, 398 roes and 218 deers were collected and analysed for lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic. These trace elements were determin ed by atomic absorption spectrometry. A strict quality control program was employed for all analytical procedures. High lead-levels in muscles appear to be the most notable discovery of this survey. The average Ph content in muscles of wild pigs was 4.342 mg/kg; ro e 4.193 mg/kg and deer 0.201 mg/kg. The actual maximum limit for lead in me at was exceeded in 25% of the analysed samples. The mean value for muscles and its concentrations in the liver and kidneys indicated that high levels of Pb in muscles were linked to secondary contamination from the wounded ar ea rather than a polluted environment. The concentrations of cadmium, mercury and arsenic in the muscles of game a nimals were low - below 0.02 mg/kg. The highest level of cadmium was found in organs, particularly in the kidney (> 60% of samples above I mg/kg). Tak ing into consideration the high concentration of Pb in muscles and Cd in or gans it would be necessary to perform risk assessment evaluation for these metals and include game-animal food products for calculation Provisional To lerable Weekly Intake (PTWI).