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Liver Lead Concentrations in Raptors in New Jersey, USA, 2008—2010

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Abstract

Lead exposure in New Jersey raptors was assessed by analyzing liver samples from carcasses obtained from wildlife rehabilitators. Samples were collected from 221 individuals representing 13 species. Concentrations were within the range of normal background exposure in 12 species. One red-tailed hawk had a liver lead concentration consistent with clinical poisoning (7.4 μg/g wet weight), which represents an incidence of 1% (1/104) in that species and 0.5% (1/221) in the overall sample. A second red-tailed hawk had a liver lead concentration consistent with subclinical exposure (2.1 μg/g wet weight). The combined incidence of elevated exposure (subclinical exposure + clinical poisoning) was 2% (2/104) in red-tailed hawks and 1% (2/221) in the overall sample.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics, PO Box 394, Lebanon, NJ, 08833, USA

    William Stansley

  2. PADLS New Bolton Center Toxicology Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, USA

    Lisa A. Murphy

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  1. William Stansley
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  2. Lisa A. Murphy
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Correspondence to William Stansley.

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Stansley, W., Murphy, L.A. Liver Lead Concentrations in Raptors in New Jersey, USA, 2008—2010. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 87, 171–174 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-011-0327-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-011-0327-7

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