Researches Concerning the Occurrence of Cadmium and Lead Residues in Game Meat

Abstract

The presence of heavy metals residues in game meat is caused by the environmental excessive pollution, but also by hunting procedures. In order to establish lead and cadmium in hunted animals muscular tissue (bear, wild boar, deer and wild duck) samples have been collected from Prahova and Braila areas. The method used for establishing the concentrations was atomic absorption spectrophotometry and results interpretation was done according to the Regulation EC no. 1881/2006. The test revealed exceeding of maximum admitted limit for both cadmium and lead in most of the game species samples, except for the ones collected from bear. High quantities of lead residues could be explained by the capturing procedures but also by the samples collection close to the wounds produced by firearms.