Risk of lead exposure from wild game consumption from cross-sectional studies in Madre de Dios, Peru

Berky, Axel; Robie, Emily R; Chipa, Susy Navio; Ortiz, Ernesto; Palmer, Emma J.; Rivera, Nelson; Avalos, Ana Maria Morales; Meyer, Joel N.; Hsu‐Kim, Heileen; Pan, William

doi:10.1016/j.lana.2022.100266

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Some ingested lead is absorbed from the intestine into the blood, and a causal relationship between consumption of lead-contaminated game meat and increase in blood lead levels (BLLs) has been shown experimentally in pigs (Hunt et al, 2006 ). There is a well-established association between increased BLLs in humans and consumption of game meat harvested with lead-based ammunition, in proportion to the amounts of game consumed (Berky et al, 2022 ; Meltzer et al, 2013 ; Tammone et al, 2021 ). Cooking processes using acid ingredients (wine, vinegar or marinades) can further solubilise lead particles (Mateo et al, 2011 ; Mateo et al, 2007 ; Schulz et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

Hampton

Pain

Buenz

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Lead-based ammunition (gunshot and bullets) frequently leaves small lead fragments embedded in the meat of wild-shot game animals. Australia produces several commercial game meat products from wild animals harvested with lead-based ammunition and has a growing population of recreational hunters. However, no studies have previously investigated the frequency of lead fragments or lead concentrations in Australian game meat. We examined 133 Australian minced game meat items of four types for evidence of lead contamination. Samples were meat from kangaroos (Macropus and Osphranter spp.; n=36) and Bennett’s wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus; n=28) sold for human consumption, and deer (‘venison’; multiple spp.; n=32) and stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis; n=37) harvested for private consumption by recreational hunters. All packages were studied by digital radiography to detect the presence of radio-dense fragments, assumed to be lead fragments from ammunition. Visible fragments were absent in commercially available kangaroo products, but were present in 4%, 28% and 35% of wallaby, venison and quail, respectively. Mean meat lead concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) were 0.01 ± 0.01 for kangaroo, 0.02 ± 0.01 for wallaby, 0.12 ± 0.07 for venison, and 1.76 ± 3.76 for quail. The Australian food standards threshold for livestock meat (0.1 mg/kg w.w.) was not exceeded by any kangaroo or wallaby products but was exceeded by 53% and 86% of venison and quail, respectively. Radiography only detected 35% of samples that were above the food safety threshold. While average lead concentrations in commercially available macropod (kangaroo and wallaby) meat were low, those in recreationally harvested game meat may pose health risks for hunters and associated consumers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

Hampton

Pain

Buenz

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…While the artisanal production and use of Pb sinkers present a potential route of exposure from fishing, the Peruvian National Water Authority also reported elevated As, Hg, and Pb in water samples from rivers where mining is prevalent in MDD [23,37,38]. While IMAS did not gather data on wild game, a previous study in the region found lead and mercury exposures to be highly correlated, potentially due to the codependence on wild game shot with lead ammunition and wild fish [39]. Additionally, proximal mining activities were associated with increased total nail As and Cd, but were not significantly higher in individuals who reported mining as an occupation, consistent with environmental exposures and other regional studies documenting co-exposures to TTEs around mining activities [21,22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adult Exposures to Toxic Trace Elements as Measured in Nails along the Interoceanic Highway in the Peruvian Amazon

Pettigrew

Pan

Harrington

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Deforestation, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), and the rapid development related to highway expansion cause opportunities for toxic trace element exposure in the Amazon region of Madre de Dios (MDD), Peru, one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. The objective of this study was to assess the exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury among adults in Madre de Dios. In total, 418 adult (18+ years) participants in the Investigacion de Migracion, Ambiente, y Salud (IMAS) (Migration, Environment, and Health Study) participated in this study. Consent, survey data, and biospecimens were collected between August and November 2014. Nail elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry. Differences by selected individual and household characteristics and local land uses were tested using one-way ANOVAs and linear mixed models. Adults in ASGM-affected areas had higher nail arsenic and nail cadmium than their non-ASGM counterparts. Higher household fish consumption was positively associated with nail mercury and nail lead. The results indicate that adult exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury is heterogeneous across Madre de Dios, and the exposures related to ASGM communities and fish consumption suggest that exposures from artisanal and small-scale mining are environmentally widespread. Further investigation is warranted to ascertain potential health impacts.

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“…Hg accumulation in chickens raised near pollution sources is not well-studied, but chicken remains an essential protein source in Madre de Dios, Peru. In a 307-person Madre de Dios survey, chicken was the most frequently consumed protein among both indigenous and non-indigenous populations, with 85% of participants consuming chicken at least weekly [17]. Although chicken consumption surpassed fish, the survey did not specifically evaluate locally raised chickens or measure Hg in chicken meat [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a 307-person Madre de Dios survey, chicken was the most frequently consumed protein among both indigenous and non-indigenous populations, with 85% of participants consuming chicken at least weekly [17]. Although chicken consumption surpassed fish, the survey did not specifically evaluate locally raised chickens or measure Hg in chicken meat [17]. A critical knowledge deficit exists for chicken and crop Hg accumulation in mining-impacted areas of South America.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diet choices determine mercury exposure risks for people living in gold mining regions of Peru

Marchese,

Gerson,

Berky

et al. 2024

Environ. Res.: Health

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Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is the largest global anthropogenic mercury (Hg) source and is widespread in the Peruvian Amazon. Consuming Hg-laden foods exposes people to this potent neurotoxin. While numerous studies have examined fish Hg content near ASGM, Hg accumulation in other commonly consumed animal- and plant-based foods from terrestrial environments is often overlooked. In this study, we aim to address understudied dietary Hg exposures. To understand Hg exposure from food staples in the Peruvian Amazon, we measured total and methyl Hg in local crops, fish, chicken meat, chicken feathers, and eggs from ASGM-impacted and upstream (reference) communities. Diet surveys were used to estimate probable weekly Hg intake from each food. Fish and chicken stable carbon and nitrogen isotope signatures were analyzed to evaluate trophic magnification. Though few crops exceeded food safety recommendations, rice methyl Hg proportions were high (84%). Trophic level was an expected key predictor of fish Hg content. 81% (17 of 21) of local carnivorous fish exceeded WHO and USEPA recommendations. Compared to upstream communities, mining-impacted communities demonstrated elevated total Hg in crops (1.55 (IQR: 0.60-3.03) μg/kg upstream versus 3.38 (IQR: 1.62-11.58) in mining areas), chicken meats (2.69 (IQR: BDL-9.96) μg/kg versus 19.68 (IQR: 6.33-48.1)), and feathers (91.20 (IQR: 39.19-216.13) μg/kg versus 329.99 (IQR: 173.22-464.99)). Chicken meats from mining areas exhibited over double the methyl Hg concentrations of those upstream. Methyl Hg fractions in chicken muscle tissue averaged 93%. Egg whites and livers exceeded Hg recommendations most frequently. Proximity to mining, but not trophic position, was a predictor of chicken Hg content. Our results demonstrate that terrestrial and aquatic foods can accumulate Hg from mining activity, introducing additional human Hg exposure routes. However, locally sourced carnivorous fish was the largest contributor to an estimated three-fold exceedance of the provisional tolerable weekly Hg intake.

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Risk of lead exposure from wild game consumption from cross-sectional studies in Madre de Dios, Peru

Cited by 6 publications

References 25 publications

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

Lead contamination in Australian game meat

Adult Exposures to Toxic Trace Elements as Measured in Nails along the Interoceanic Highway in the Peruvian Amazon

Diet choices determine mercury exposure risks for people living in gold mining regions of Peru

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