Lead ammunition residues in the meat of hunted woodcock: a potential health risk to consumers

Abstract

Wild meat often retains metallic particles originating from the ammunition fired by hunters. Since ammunition are traditionally lead (Pb)-based, the consumption of game meat may entail the ingestion of Pb embedded in tissues. To assess the related risks to human health, information is needed on the number, dimension and spatial distribution of Pb particles embedded in popular quarry species. In this study, we focused on the Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), a medium-sized bird intensively hunted across its range. We X-rayed 59 carcasses of woodcock shot by Italian hunters in Ukraine. To check the ammunition types and evaluate the mean weight of the embedded gunshot, we excised a sample of 62 whole pellets from 20 birds. Ammunition residues were found in 57 of the 59 woodcock (96.6%). Radiographs revealed 215 whole pellets and 125 fragmentation centres in 51 (mean = 3.64) and in 48 birds (mean = 2.14), respectively. Most fragmentation centres (75.7%) contained tiny particles (<1 mm). The overall estimated Pb load ranged from 45 to 52 mg/100 g wet weight, most of which (84.6%) in edible parts. The number of embedded pellets per unit of body mass (1.21/100 g of body weight) was higher in comparison with other bird species and also with woodcock shot in the UK, presumably owing to the hunting methods adopted by Italian hunters. The quantity and characteristics of ammunition residues we found suggest that game meat consumers are exposed to a relevant Pb assumption.