Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXVI, Issue 2
Written by Florina RAICU, Constantin VLAGIOIU, Niculae TUDOR
The purpose of this article is to contribute to the subsequent establishment by the European Commission of maximum admitted limits for heavy metals in game meat. Heavy metals residues (Lead, Cadmium) are present in game meat because of the environmental excessive pollution and because of the hunting methods. Game meat samples (deer and wild boar meat) from Harghita county were analysed by: atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were compared with other categories of meat for which the maximum admitted limits are specified in the Regulation EC no. 1881/2006. The results were below the maximum admitted limits for other types of meat for which there is a specific European legislation, as following: cadmium concentration was highly below the highest admitted limit for meat categories. However for some samples, lead concentrations were comparable to the maximum admitted limit. Consequently, repeated analyses were performed to validate the results. The high quantities of lead residues could be explained by the hunting methods, but also by the samples collection close to the wounds produced by firearms. The hunting methods and the place for sampling too close to the wound caused by firearms (including the bullets) are responsible for finding high concentrations of residual lead in the analysed samples.
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