Survey of Lead Contamination in Wild Waterfowl and Raptors in Iwate Prefecture

Abstract

Although lead poisoning cases have been confirmed in Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) in Iwate prefecture, the overall situation has not been invested. We therefore collected blood samples from waterfowl (n=20) and raptors (n=26) rescued because of injury or weakness in Iwate prefecture from October 2008 to September 2009 and conducted blood lead analysis. Evidence of lead poisoning was not found in raptors but was recognized in 10% of waterfowl. Moreover, 25% of the waterfowl exhibited marked lead exposure. It indicated the possibility of some lead exposure in wild waterfowl in Iwate.