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Hong Y, Ye T, Jiang H, Wang A, Wang B, Li Y, Xie H, Meng H, Shen C, Ding X. Panoramic lead-immune system interactome reveals diversified mechanisms of immunotoxicity upon chronic lead exposure. Cell Biol Toxicol 2025; 41:81. [PMID: 40332598 PMCID: PMC12058832 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-025-10034-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2025] [Accepted: 04/24/2025] [Indexed: 05/08/2025]
Abstract
Lead exposure is of high prevalence, and over a billion people are chronically exposed to alarming level of lead. Human immune system is highly vulnerable to lead, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Using single-cell mass cytometry and mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we performed a panoramic survey of lead targets at both cellular and molecular levels in murine immune system upon chronic lead exposure. We produced a single-cell landscape of lead, thiol metabolism and lead-induced toxicity across all immune cell types. We found that immune cells with extreme thiol metabolism are the most sensitive upon chronic lead exposure. It shows that CD4 + T cells and neutrophils are the most sensitive to lead, which is due respectively to a molecular mechanism rooted in their characteristic thiol metabolic capacity. Meanwhile, we found that lead accumulation by RBC further inflicted secondary toxicity to RBC phagocytes in spleen, e.g. macrophages and neutrophils. Unlike CD4 + T cells, which can be rescued by supplementation with thiol chelator, lead toxicity in these phagocytes cannot be effectively mitigated by thiol chelators. Overall, it forms a multiscale panoramic lead-immune system interactome upon chronic lead exposure, which provides valuable information for proactive prevention, therapy formulation and public health evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Hong
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Fuyao University of Science and Technology, Fuzhou, 350109, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tianbao Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China
| | - Boqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengxing Shen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xianting Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, People's Republic of China.
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Kitowski I, Jakubas D, Wiącek D, Pitucha G, Sujak A. Factors affecting the concentration of metals and metalloids in the kidneys of a top predator, the Eurasian Buzzard (Buteo buteo) wintering in farmland in Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:62997-63015. [PMID: 39472371 PMCID: PMC11599400 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-35378-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 10/16/2024] [Indexed: 11/27/2024]
Abstract
During late autumn and winter, raptors in the western Palearctic face challenges due to food scarcity and dropping temperatures. That time they can be exposed to various elements including toxic ones ingested with food. Kidney samples from 22 females and 19 males of a medium-sized raptor, the Common Buzzard Buteo buteo found dead in farmland of Eastern Poland in winter were analyzed for a concentration of 21 elements. Elemental concentrations were analyzed regarding the age and sex of birds. Results revealed that only 4.9% of individuals had kidney lead levels exceeding 8.0 mg, while 9.8% showed cadmium levels above 8.0 mg/kg, indicating potential poisoning. The study also highlighted the limited entry of arsenic into agricultural ecosystems exploited by Common Buzzards. Sex differences were noted, with females accumulating more lead and vanadium than males which can be associated with foraging niche partitioning between sexes driven by body size dimorphism. Sulfur showed complex interactions with cadmium, mercury, and zinc, with a positive correlation between sulfur and zinc levels in the kidneys, emphasizing dietary needs during food scarcity. A positive correlation was found between zinc and lead concentrations, indicating zinc's role in mitigating lead's impact. The study also revealed positive correlations between selenium and highly toxic elements like mercury (Spearman correlation, rs = 0.41) and cadmium (rs = 0.51), suggesting a mitigating effect of selenium on exposure to heavy metals. This study enhances understanding of year-round environmental contamination exposure for raptors and sheds light on bioaccumulation in a top predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacy Kitowski
- University College of Applied Sciences in Chełm, Pocztowa 54, 22-100, Chełm, Poland
| | - Dariusz Jakubas
- Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Dariusz Wiącek
- Bohdan Dobrzański Institute of Agrophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290, Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Pitucha
- Biodiversity Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, University of Rzeszów, Ćwiklińskiej 1A, 35-601, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Sujak
- Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627, Poznań, Poland.
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Katzner TE, Pain DJ, McTee M, Brown L, Cuadros S, Pokras M, Slabe VA, Watson RT, Wiemeyer G, Bedrosian B, Hampton JO, Parish CN, Pay JM, Saito K, Schulz JH. Lead poisoning of raptors: state of the science and cross-discipline mitigation options for a global problem. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1672-1699. [PMID: 38693847 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Lead poisoning is an important global conservation problem for many species of wildlife, especially raptors. Despite the increasing number of individual studies and regional reviews of lead poisoning of raptors, it has been over a decade since this information has been compiled into a comprehensive global review. Here, we summarize the state of knowledge of lead poisoning of raptors, we review developments in manufacturing of non-lead ammunition, the use of which can reduce the most pervasive source of lead these birds encounter, and we compile data on voluntary and regulatory mitigation options and their associated sociological context. We support our literature review with case studies of mitigation actions, largely provided by the conservation practitioners who study or manage these efforts. Our review illustrates the growing awareness and understanding of lead exposure of raptors, and it shows that the science underpinning this understanding has expanded considerably in recent years. We also show that the political and social appetite for managing lead ammunition appears to vary substantially across administrative regions, countries, and continents. Improved understanding of the drivers of this variation could support more effective mitigation of lead exposure of wildlife. This review also shows that mitigation strategies are likely to be most effective when they are outcome driven, consider behavioural theory, local cultures, and environmental conditions, effectively monitor participation, compliance, and levels of raptor exposure, and support both environmental and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd E Katzner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 230 North Collins Road, Boise, ID, 83702, USA
| | - Deborah J Pain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
- Zoology Department, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Michael McTee
- MPG Ranch, 19400 Lower Woodchuck Road, Florence, MT, 59833, USA
| | - Leland Brown
- Oregon Zoo, North American Non-lead Partnership, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR, 97221, USA
| | - Sandra Cuadros
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 410 Summer Valley Rd, Orwigsburg, PA, 17961, USA
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, 1177 Research Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Mark Pokras
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Rd, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Vincent A Slabe
- Conservation Science Global, Bozeman, MT, USA
- The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID, 83709, USA
| | - Richard T Watson
- The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID, 83709, USA
| | - Guillermo Wiemeyer
- CONICET- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Calle 5 esq. 116 MO L6360, Gral. Pico, La Pampa, Argentina
| | | | - Jordan O Hampton
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | | | - James M Pay
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Churchill Ave, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia
| | - Keisuke Saito
- Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan 2-2101 Hokuto, Kushiro, Hokkaido, 084-0922, Japan
| | - John H Schulz
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 1111 Rollins St, Columbia, MO, 65203, USA
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Gangoso L, Mateo R, Santamaría-Cervantes C, García-Alfonso M, Gimeno-Castellano C, Arrondo E, Serrano D, van Overveld T, de la Riva M, Cabrera MA, Donázar JA. Blood lead levels in an endangered vulture decline following changes in hunting activity. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118712. [PMID: 38548255 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Lead ammunition stands out as one of the most pervasive pollutants affecting wildlife. Its impact on bird populations have spurred efforts for the phase-out of leaded gunshot in several countries, although with varying scopes and applications. Ongoing and future policy changes require data to assess the effectiveness of adopted measures, particularly in the current context of biodiversity loss. Here, we assessed the long-term changes in blood lead (Pb) levels of Egyptian vultures from the Canary Islands, Spain, which have been severely affected by Pb poisoning over the past two decades. During this period, the reduction in hunting pressure and changes in legislation regarding firearms usage for small game hunting likely contributed to a decrease in environmental Pb availability. As anticipated, our results show a reduction in Pb levels, especially after the ban on wild rabbit hunting with shotgun since 2010. This effect was stronger in the preadult fraction of the vulture population. However, we still observed elevated blood Pb levels above the background and clinical thresholds in 5.6% and 1.5% of individuals, respectively. Our results highlight the positive impact of reducing the availability of Pb from ammunition sources on individual health. Nonetheless, the continued use of Pb gunshot remains an important source of poisoning, even lethal, mainly affecting adult individuals. This poses a particular concern for long-lived birds, compounding by potential chronic effects associated with Pb bioaccumulation. Our findings align with recent studies indicating insufficient reductions in Pb levels among European birds of prey, attributed to limited policy changes and their uneven implementation. We anticipated further reductions in Pb levels among Egyptian vultures with expanded restrictions on hunting practices, including a blanket ban on Pb shot usage across all small game species.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gangoso
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, C/ José Antonio Novais 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - R Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - C Santamaría-Cervantes
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - M García-Alfonso
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - C Gimeno-Castellano
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - E Arrondo
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain; Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Avenida Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - D Serrano
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - T van Overveld
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - M de la Riva
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - M A Cabrera
- Dirección general de Espacios Naturales y Biodiversidad. Consejería de Transición Ecológica y Energía, Gobierno de Canarias, C/ Prof. Agustín Millares Carló, 18, 35071, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - J A Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
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Hydeskov HB, Arnemo JM, Lloyd Mills C, Gentle LK, Uzal A. A Global Systematic Review of Lead (Pb) Exposure and its Health Effects in Wild Mammals. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:285-297. [PMID: 38345465 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a toxic nonessential metal, known mainly for causing poisoning of humans and wild birds. However, little is known about Pb exposure and its associated health effects in wild mammals. We conducted a global systematic literature review to identify peer-reviewed studies published on Pb exposure in wild mammalian species and the health effects they identified. In total, 183 studies, conducted in 35 countries and published over 62 yr (1961-2022), were included in the review. Only 6% (11/183) of the studies were conducted in developing countries. Although 153 mammalian species were studied, most studies focused on species that are easy to access (i.e., hunted species and small mammals that are easy to trap). Therefore, carnivores and scavengers were less frequently studied than herbivores and omnivores. Despite all studies reporting Pb concentrations, only 45 (25%) studies investigated health effects and, of these 45 studies, only 28 (62%) found any health effect in 57 species. All health effects were negative and ranged from subclinical effects to fatality. Methodologies of Pb sampling and quantification and reporting of results varied widely across the studies, making both Pb concentrations and health effects difficult to compare and evaluate. Thus, there is a need for more research on Pb exposure and its health effects on wild mammals, especially as carnivores and scavengers could be used as sentinels for ecosystem health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helle B Hydeskov
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, Anne Evenstads Vei 80, 2480 Koppang, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd, 90736 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Chris Lloyd Mills
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Louise K Gentle
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, NG25 0QF, UK
| | - Antonio Uzal
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, NG25 0QF, UK
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6
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Kitowski I, Łopucki R, Wiącek D, Pitucha G, Sujak A, Jakubas D. Concentration of metals and metalloids in livers of birds of various foraging guilds collected during the autumn migration period in Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:21913-21934. [PMID: 38400961 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32502-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
During migration, birds explore various habitats at stopover sites that differ in food resources and contamination levels. In this study, hepatic concentrations of 21 elements (metals and metalloids) in 11 species of birds, representing various foraging habitats (such as aquatic, aquatic/terrestrial, and terrestrial) and migration modes (migratory and sedentary) representing various foraging guilds (omnivores, piscivores, and molluscivores), were analyzed. The samples (N = 84) were collected during the autumn migration period in Poland. The concentrations of elements determined in this study exhibited high inter-species variability, reflecting the diversity in contamination levels depending on food resources used by specific bird groups. Many of the investigated individuals from different species showed exceeded levels of subclinical toxicity and moderate clinical poisoning due to Cd and Hg. Higher concentrations of As, Hg, and Ba and lower V concentrations were found in migratory birds as compared to sedentary birds. Species foraging in terrestrial habitat had different concentrations of some elements compared to aquatic and aquatic/terrestrial species. Some specific inter-species differences in hepatic elemental concentrations were found. Differences in elemental concentrations among various groups can primarily be attributed to their foraging guilds, with certain elements, particularly As, V, and Hg, playing a significant role in the dissimilarity of elemental concentrations between foraging habitat groups and migratory mode groups. The data collected confirmed the limited ability of As to enter ecosystem pathways. The results of this study contribute to understanding the year-round exposure of migratory birds to environmental contamination, which can have carry-over effects on their performance in wintering and breeding grounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacy Kitowski
- University College of Applied Sciences in Chełm, Pocztowa 54, 22-100, Chełm, Poland
| | - Rafał Łopucki
- Department of Biomedicine and Environmental Research, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708, Lublin, Poland
| | - Dariusz Wiącek
- Bohdan Dobrzański Institute of Agrophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290, Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Pitucha
- Biodiversity Laboratory, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, University of Rzeszów, Ćwiklińskiej 1A, 35-601, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Sujak
- Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 50, 60-627, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Dariusz Jakubas
- Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
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Thomas VG, Kanstrup N. Promoting enforcement of non-lead hunting ammunition regulations and compliance in Europe and North America. AMBIO 2023; 52:1350-1358. [PMID: 37079207 PMCID: PMC10272061 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01863-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The direct regulation of lead ammunition in North America and Europe has been mainly for hunting in wetlands. Little support among hunters and the ammunition makers exists for further regulation despite suitable lead substitutes and much education about the known risks to wildlife and human health from ingested lead. In the absence of personnel to detect use of lead ammunition and enforce regulations, hunter compliance is low. Identification of non-lead ammunition using existing electronic technology and an international protocol on the identification of non-lead rifle bullets is proposed to aid enforcement. An explicit definition of the chemical composition of lead substitutes is required in European Union legislation together with a more enforceable distinction between 'possession during hunting' and 'ownership' of lead ammunition. A more transdisciplinary regulatory approach to transitioning to non-lead ammunition is advised. It comprises widespread public health advisories, setting a maximum allowable lead level in commercial game meats in EU legislation, and public communication that emphasizes the benefits of non-lead ammunition use to all categories of wildlife and the public perception of hunting, whether in North America or Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vernon G. Thomas
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - Niels Kanstrup
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Hampton JO, Lohr MT, Specht AJ, Nzabanita D, Hufschmid J, Berger L, McGinnis K, Melville J, Bennett E, Pay JM. Lead exposure of mainland Australia's top avian predator. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:122004. [PMID: 37302786 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) toxicity, through ingestion of lead ammunition in carcasses, is a threat to scavenging birds worldwide, but has received little attention in Australia. We analyzed lead exposure in the wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax), the largest raptor species found in mainland Australia and a facultative scavenger. Eagle carcasses were collected opportunistically throughout south-eastern mainland Australia between 1996 and 2022. Lead concentrations were measured in bone samples from 62 animals via portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Lead was detected (concentration >1 ppm) in 84% (n = 52) of the bone samples. The mean lead concentration of birds in which lead was detected was 9.10 ppm (±SE 1.66). Bone lead concentrations were elevated (10-20 ppm) in 12.9% of samples, and severe (>20 ppm) in 4.8% of samples. These proportions are moderately higher than equivalent data for the same species from the island of Tasmania, and are comparable to data from threatened eagle species from other continents. Lead exposure at these levels is likely to have negative impacts on wedge-tailed eagles at the level of the individual and perhaps at a population level. Our results suggest that studies of lead exposure in other Australian avian scavenger species are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan O Hampton
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Michael T Lohr
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia, 6027, Australia; SLR Consulting, 500 Hay St, Subiaco, Western Australia, 6008, Australia
| | - Aaron J Specht
- Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States
| | - Damien Nzabanita
- School of Science, RMIT University, 264 Plenty Road, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Jasmin Hufschmid
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Lee Berger
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Kate McGinnis
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Animal Welfare League Queensland, Shelter Road, Coombabah, Queensland, 4216, Australia
| | - Jane Melville
- Museums Victoria Research Institute, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Emma Bennett
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - James M Pay
- University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia
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9
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Hampton JO, Cobb ML, Toop SD, Flesch JS, Hyndman TH. Elevated lead exposure in Australian hunting dogs during a deer hunting season. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 323:121317. [PMID: 36828357 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
There is growing recognition of the threat posed by toxic lead-based ammunition. One group of domestic animals known to be susceptible to harmful lead exposure via this route is hunting dogs. Scent-trailing dogs ('hounds') are used to hunt introduced sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) during a prescribed eight-month (April-November) annual hunting season, during which they are fed fresh venison, in Victoria, south-eastern Australia. We used this annual season as a natural experiment to undertake longitudinal sampling of dogs for lead exposure. Blood was collected from 27 dogs owned by four different deer hunters and comprising three different breeds just prior to the start of the hound hunting season (March 2022) and in the middle of the season (August 2022), and blood lead levels (BLLs) (μg/dL) were determined via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Using Tobit regression, the expected BLLs across all dogs were significantly lower before the season (0.50 μg/dL, standard error [SE] = 0.32 μg/dL) than during the season (1.39 μg/dL, SE = 0.35 μg/dL) (p = 0.01). However, when the breed of dog was included in the analyses, this effect was only significant in beagles (P < 0.001), not bloodhounds (p = 0.73) or harriers (p = 0.43). For 32% of the dogs before the season, and 56% during the season, BLLs exceeded the established threshold concentration for developmental neurotoxicity in humans (1.2 μg/dL). Time since most recent venison feeding, sex of dog and owner were not associated with BLLs. The finding that BLLs more than doubled during the hunting season indicates that lead exposure is a risk in this context. These results expand the sphere of impact from environmental lead in Australia from wild animals and humans, to include some groups of domestic animals, a textbook example of a One Health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan O Hampton
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Mia L Cobb
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Simon D Toop
- Game Management Authority, Level 2, 535 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Jason S Flesch
- Game Management Authority, Level 2, 535 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Timothy H Hyndman
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Western Australia, 6150, Australia; School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
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Sonne C, Lam SS, Kanstrup N. The environmental threats from lead ammunition. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 2023; 2:16-17. [PMID: 38074451 PMCID: PMC10702884 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Technological Sciences, Department of Ecoscience, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- University Centre for Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Niels Kanstrup
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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