Lead concentrations in wild boar from Sardinia: analysis of food safety concerns
Abstract A multitude of pathways within human food chains have been affected by the presence of lead (Pb) which has highly negative consequences on animal and human health. Numerous sources contribute to Pb exposure, and the use of Pb ammunition is considered one of the main unregulated means of rel...
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SpringerOpen
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Environmental Sciences Europe |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01092-y |
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| author | Naunain Mehmood Maria Francesca Sini Beatrice Bocca Francesca Nonnis Maria Manconi Marco Muzzeddu Vincenzo Veneziano Giovanni Sgroi Antonio Varcasia Antonio Scala Claudia Tamponi Giovanni Forte |
| author_facet | Naunain Mehmood Maria Francesca Sini Beatrice Bocca Francesca Nonnis Maria Manconi Marco Muzzeddu Vincenzo Veneziano Giovanni Sgroi Antonio Varcasia Antonio Scala Claudia Tamponi Giovanni Forte |
| author_sort | Naunain Mehmood |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract A multitude of pathways within human food chains have been affected by the presence of lead (Pb) which has highly negative consequences on animal and human health. Numerous sources contribute to Pb exposure, and the use of Pb ammunition is considered one of the main unregulated means of releasing this hazardous metal into the game meat and environment. In addition to this, geogenic sources or anthropogenic activities could also result in higher contamination of game meat. Considering these aspects, the present study was carried out in wild boar (n = 53) from different hunting grounds in northern part of Sardinia (Italy) for evaluation of mean residual levels in liver, spleen, and thigh muscle through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The highest mean concentration of Pb was estimated in liver (6.70 ± 34.87 mg/kg dw) followed by spleen (5.11 ± 22.36 mg/kg dw) and thigh muscle (2.67 ± 11.74 mg/kg dw). Concerning biological sexes, females (n = 27) had higher mean levels for all tissues, however, no differences were ascertained in the bioaccumulation of Pb. Among the age groups, adults had higher accumulation of Pb in all tissues compared to juveniles. Nevertheless, the level of Pb in both groups did not yield any accumulation pattern. Additionally, a moderate correlation was calculated for liver and spleen (0.643, p < 0.01) for Pb accumulation. The risk assessment revealed a very high risk to the hunters who frequently consume the game meals as margin of exposure for this group was very low. In comparison with EFSA guidelines, none of the samples was fully fit for human consumption which calls for inclusion of game meat in the EU regulation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-97aa1801f52a4b71b405b7fb37c0338a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2190-4715 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Sciences Europe |
| spelling | doaj-art-97aa1801f52a4b71b405b7fb37c0338a2025-08-20T03:04:58ZengSpringerOpenEnvironmental Sciences Europe2190-47152025-04-0137111110.1186/s12302-025-01092-yLead concentrations in wild boar from Sardinia: analysis of food safety concernsNaunain Mehmood0Maria Francesca Sini1Beatrice Bocca2Francesca Nonnis3Maria Manconi4Marco Muzzeddu5Vincenzo Veneziano6Giovanni Sgroi7Antonio Varcasia8Antonio Scala9Claudia Tamponi10Giovanni Forte11Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of SassariDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of SassariDepartment of Environment and Health, Italian National Institute of HealthDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of SassariAgenzia LaoreCentro di Recupero Animali Selvatici, Agenzia Regionale ForestasDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Animal Health, Unit of Wildlife Disease, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of SassariDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of SassariDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of SassariDepartment of Environment and Health, Italian National Institute of HealthAbstract A multitude of pathways within human food chains have been affected by the presence of lead (Pb) which has highly negative consequences on animal and human health. Numerous sources contribute to Pb exposure, and the use of Pb ammunition is considered one of the main unregulated means of releasing this hazardous metal into the game meat and environment. In addition to this, geogenic sources or anthropogenic activities could also result in higher contamination of game meat. Considering these aspects, the present study was carried out in wild boar (n = 53) from different hunting grounds in northern part of Sardinia (Italy) for evaluation of mean residual levels in liver, spleen, and thigh muscle through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The highest mean concentration of Pb was estimated in liver (6.70 ± 34.87 mg/kg dw) followed by spleen (5.11 ± 22.36 mg/kg dw) and thigh muscle (2.67 ± 11.74 mg/kg dw). Concerning biological sexes, females (n = 27) had higher mean levels for all tissues, however, no differences were ascertained in the bioaccumulation of Pb. Among the age groups, adults had higher accumulation of Pb in all tissues compared to juveniles. Nevertheless, the level of Pb in both groups did not yield any accumulation pattern. Additionally, a moderate correlation was calculated for liver and spleen (0.643, p < 0.01) for Pb accumulation. The risk assessment revealed a very high risk to the hunters who frequently consume the game meals as margin of exposure for this group was very low. In comparison with EFSA guidelines, none of the samples was fully fit for human consumption which calls for inclusion of game meat in the EU regulation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01092-ySus scrofa meridionalisRisk assessmentGame meatBioaccumulationLiverPb |
| spellingShingle | Naunain Mehmood Maria Francesca Sini Beatrice Bocca Francesca Nonnis Maria Manconi Marco Muzzeddu Vincenzo Veneziano Giovanni Sgroi Antonio Varcasia Antonio Scala Claudia Tamponi Giovanni Forte Lead concentrations in wild boar from Sardinia: analysis of food safety concerns Environmental Sciences Europe Sus scrofa meridionalis Risk assessment Game meat Bioaccumulation Liver Pb |
| title | Lead concentrations in wild boar from Sardinia: analysis of food safety concerns |
| title_full | Lead concentrations in wild boar from Sardinia: analysis of food safety concerns |
| title_fullStr | Lead concentrations in wild boar from Sardinia: analysis of food safety concerns |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lead concentrations in wild boar from Sardinia: analysis of food safety concerns |
| title_short | Lead concentrations in wild boar from Sardinia: analysis of food safety concerns |
| title_sort | lead concentrations in wild boar from sardinia analysis of food safety concerns |
| topic | Sus scrofa meridionalis Risk assessment Game meat Bioaccumulation Liver Pb |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01092-y |
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