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Specialists have cautioned that further efforts are required to comprehend the true scope of detrimental lead exposure in non-domesticated mammals, as a research project has uncovered its prevalence among various species worldwide.
Experts from Nottingham Trent University studied nearly 200 past studies from over 60 years and 35 countries in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the extent of the issue regarding wildlife population health.
This is the first study to specifically examine the scope of lead exposure in wild mammals, though there is a greater understanding of its effects on birds, which have been recognized for nearly 150 years.
Based on the results, it was found that 153 types of mammals that were previously examined contained lead. The species that were studied the most included red deer, European roe deer, wild boar, wood mouse, and brown bear.
Examples of other animals that were affected by lead poisoning were the ringed seal, beluga whale, common wombat, European hare, Tasmanian devil, American manatee, and stump-tailed macaque.
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Limited information exists on the impact of lead exposure on mammals, highlighting the necessity for further research to be conducted.
According to Dr. Helle Hydeskov, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University, the exposure of lead to wild animals is a very grave concern.
It is evident that this phenomenon is happening in numerous types of organisms, spanning various countries and over an extended period of time.
There is currently limited knowledge about the impact of lead exposure on mammals and its effects on health. Therefore, it is essential to conduct further research as soon as possible.
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“We must gain a greater comprehension of how this will affect meat-eating animals and animals that feed on carcasses.”
“These animals are important for monitoring ecosystem health as lead accumulates in the body, and so it makes sense to study animals that eat other animals and that live for a longer period of time.
“Greater attention should also be given to nations projected to have the greatest levels of lead pollution, along with developing countries lacking, or with limited, lead regulations.”
“Assisting in identifying the effects of lead on various species will contribute to our understanding of this harmful metal and equip us with crucial evidence to aid in necessary regulations.”
According to experts, the origins of environmental lead are diverse and influenced by the specific location, as various countries have differing regulations regarding the use of products containing this metal.
Plant-eating animals are at risk of being exposed to lead through either drinking contaminated water or consuming plants that have absorbed the metal from the soil.
Carnivores and scavengers may also be exposed to contaminated water and plants, as well as consume meat from animals that have potentially ingested lead through water or vegetation, or from prey that has been hunted using lead-containing ammunition.
The researchers reviewed various studies on lead levels in wild animals, but only 25% examined the impact on their health.
Unfortunately, the consequences on health were consistently negative and varied in severity from mild to deadly. They were discovered to have impacted the nervous, circulatory, and reproductive systems, as well as the kidneys, liver, and teeth.
Lead is a harmful metal that is present in the Earth’s crust and has been traditionally utilized in various items, such as plumbing, paint, fuel, bullets, aircraft fuel, car batteries, glassware, and makeup.
Some believe that human actions have caused a significant rise in environmental lead, up to 1,000 times the normal levels. This puts wildlife at a higher risk for exposure.
Despite laws prohibiting or decreasing the utilization of lead, it remains prevalent in various items, such as the bullets used for hunting certain animals.
The scientists aim to conduct more research in this field in order to gather more compelling evidence that can impact policymakers responsible for regulating products that contain lead.
The results are printed in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases.
Source: independent.co.uk
