Blood lead levels, clinico-pathological findings and erythrocyte metabolism in dogs from different habitats
Ghisleni, G.; Spagnolo, V.; Roccabianca, P.; Scanziani, E.; Paltrinieri, S.; Lupo, F.; Ferretti, E.; Nageli, F.
Veterinary and Human Toxicology 46(2): 57-61
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-6296 PMID: 15080203 Document Number: 570668
The biological markers of lead exposure were measured in 20 dogs from five different habitats: mountain area (A), rural area (B), urban area (C), oil-refinery area (D) and control (E) in Milan, Italy chosen based on the degree of anthropogenic influence. None of the dogs had clinical signs of lead poisoning. When compared with the controls, blood lead concentrations were significantly higher in dogs from the industrial areas, confirming the role of lead emissions in environmental pollution and the possible role of dogs as biomarkers of lead exposure in these areas. Whole blood lead concentrations were similar in dogs living in urban and rural areas, probably due to indirect lead sources and due to decreased urban lead contamination. In humans, individual variability was detected. No significant correlation between clinicopathological changes (haematology, clinical chemistry, delta -aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase activity and other intra-erythrocytic metabolic parameters) and lead concentration were observed. Our findings suggest that dogs can be useful as sentinel animals of environmental lead exposure.