MP12 Organic, Metallic, Organometallic Pollutants
Monday, 14 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(WIE-1117-803565) Blood lead concentrations in outdoor living cats in Tampa, Florida.

Wiesen, L¹, ¹ University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

ABSTRACT- Where lead pollutes urban soils, both human and animals risk exposure. This exposure gives rise to similar health risks across species. A group of 50 outdoor living cats from inner city Tampa, Florida were tested for blood lead concentration (BLC). Most cats had no measurable lead loads, 14% had levels ≤6 g/dl. Previous studies of soil lead pollution in Tampa have found lead levels ranging from 0-1100 ppm (mean 65 ppm, median 40 ppm). The highest levels are localized in older neighborhoods and adjacent to high traffic roads. The cats with measurable BLCs originated in these types of locations. Overall, BLCs were lower than expected. In addition, the BLCs were lower than those found in older industrial cities. The reduction of the use of lead as well as Tampa′s location in the newly developed Sunbelt, may be responsible for the overall low levels found in the region′s outdoor living cat population.

Key words: cats, blood lead concentration, lead, soil pollution