Concentrations of some toxic and trace elements in wild boar (Sus scrofa) organs and tissues in different areas of the Province of Viterbo, Central Italy

The aim of the present study was to determine heavy metal reference levels for exposure and risk assessment studies on a local scale. We measured lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) content in edible tissues and organs of wild boars harvested in dif- ferent areas of the Province of Viterbo, Central Italy. The average levels of cadmium recorded in 75 wild boars were 0.085, 0.079 and 1.052 mg Cd kg–1 wet weight (w.w.) in the liver, muscle and kidney, respectively. The majority of the muscle samples and some of the liver samples contained levels of heavy metal that were over the legal limit [EU Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)] for pigs. Our data are similar to or lower than the val- ues reported in most of the available literature. For Pb concentration, the average values record- ed were 0.318, 0.126 and 0.298 mg kg–1 w.w. in the liver, muscle and kidney, respectively. The sam- ples that were non-compliant with regulatory limits (MRLs) for pigs were registered only for muscle. Available data on the presence of Pb con- tent in game meat report lower values than ours, most likely because the area around the bullet path was avoided while sampling. The average values of total Cr were 0.141, 0.139 and 0.097 mg kg–1 w.w. in the liver, muscle and kidney, respec- tively. For Zn, the mean values were 49.76, 53.21 and 32.46 mg kg–1 w.w. in the liver, muscle and kidney, respectively. Cu content was 46.12, 12.20 and 5.64 mg Cu kg–1 w.w. in the liver, muscle and kidney, respectively. The results obtained have been validated on the basis of the scarce and inconsistent Italian literature available and on international studies.