Toxic and essential metal concentrations in four tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Baranja, Croatia

Abstract

Kidney (n = 297), liver (n = 52), jawbone (n = 80) and muscle (n = 48) samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus) from north-eastern Croatia in the 2002--05 hunting season were analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) using atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical evaluation of results showed age-related accumulations of renal cortex Cd and Zn, bone Pb, and muscle Zn. Renal cortex Cd and Zn were significantly associated. In addition, concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle tissue were significantly correlated with Fe content. Found levels of toxic metals were not likely to affect the health status of animals. A total of 49% of the muscle, 60% of the kidney and 6% of the liver samples were unsuitable for human consumption according to Croatian regulations for Cd in food. However, the calculated intake of Cd through deer meat consumption is small and represents no health risk when consumption is moderate.

Cadmium, Lead, and Chromium in Large Game: A Local-Scale Exposure Assessment for Hunters Consuming Meat and Liver of Wild Boar

“…Compared with those data, the mean WB meat and liver consumption rates documented in our study (113 and 38 g week -1 person -1 , respectively) were high, and these results may be explained by the ready availability of WB products to hunters and their families. Similar observations have been made in comparable studies performed in other countries (Burger 2002;Lazarus et al 2008). Overall, the rates of consumption of WB meat found in our study were similar to the levels reported for hunters and their families in a recent Spanish study (Morales et al 2011), with the exception of the right-end values (e.g., from the 95th percentile to the maximum), which were greater in our study.…”

“…The literature dealing with heavy-metal contamination of game meat (Hernández et al 1985;Swiergosz et al 1993;Falandysz 1994;Wolkers et al 1994;Kottferová and Koréneková 1998;Guitart et al 2002;Lord et al 2002;Falandysz et al 2005;Lazarus et al 2008) highlights that heavy metals can reach concentration levels high enough to make some of these products unsafe for human consumption. Wild ungulate populations are increasing throughout Europe (Saez-Royuela and Telleria 1986;DelibesMateos et al 2009;Meriggi et al 2011).…”

“…Nonetheless, it is important to measure the toxic-metal exposure of those populations likely to be exposed whether through work or other settings. Hunters and their families are particularly likely to be at risk (Burger 2002;Vahteristo et al 2003;Lazarus et al 2008) because the concentrations of metals in wild animals may vary considerably from location to location (Kålås et al 1995;PeterssonGrawé et al 1997;Wlostowski et al 2006;Bilandzic et al 2009;Bilandžić et al 2010). Local-scale exposure studies are thus appropriate for game meat that is consumed mainly within the harvesting area.…”

Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury Exposure Assessment Among Croatian Consumers of Free-Living Game

“…For small game, only Hg exposure estimation was done. Weekly exposure to Cd, Pb, and Hg from meat and liver was estimated based on mean or 95 th percentile metal levels [34][35][36][37]. Wild boar was hunted at locations 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 (based on references [33][34][35][36][37][38].…”

“…However, the vast majority of game is not controlled for residues because non-marketed food is not subject to these tests. Data about toxic metal levels in free-living game from Croatia are mainly limited to scientific research (29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39). In 2012, the Croatian Food Agency published a heavy metal exposure assessment (40) based on data for wild boar meat, liver, and kidney.…”