A Study of Absorption and Retention of Lead in Wild Waterfowl in Relation to Clinical Evidence of Lead Poisoning

Abstract

Clinical symptoms diagnostic of lead poisoning in ducks in relation to 2 levels of dosing are herein established. \rThe critical daily dosage level was found to be between 6 and 8 mg./ kg. The average survival time for birds dosed at a level of 12 mg./ kg. was 3.5 days less than for birds receiving lead at the 8 mg./ kg. level, but there was no significant difference in the deposition of lead in the tissues of the 2 groups.\rLead metabolism studies for 3 consecutive periods showed comparable rates of retention for the 2 dosage levels, with no significant difference in lead retention. The rate of deposition of lead in the tissues, as indicated by metabolism tests, was found to be such that related clinical symptoms could be predicted.\rAny one of 3 units, skeleton, liver, or soft tissues might be satisfactory as field samples for the determination of lead poisoning by chemical analysis.