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(T/FF240) Bioaccumulation and secondary poisoning risks associated with brodifacoum. Eason, Charles1, 1 ABSTRACT- Second generation anticoagulants such as brodifacoum have found increasing favour worldwide for rodent control and in New Zealand brodifacoum is also used for possum control. Concurrent with the increased field use of brodifacoum, concerns have focused on primary and secondary poisoning and contamination of wildlife. In view of this secondary poisoning risk persistence studies were carried out in captive animals and field surveys have been conducted. In surveys in New Zealand wildlands 14 out of 35 feral pigs (40%) contained no residues. The remaining 21 pigs including the one which was found dead, contained residues of brodifacoum at concentrations ranging from 0.007 to 1.78 mg/kg. Similar concentrations were found in captive pigs fed carcasses of poisoned animals confirming the potential for food-chain transfer. In view of the potential impact on wildlife (and hunters) the wide-scale field use of brodifacoum baits has been scrutinised. The comparative toxicokinetics of alternative less persistent toxicants has been evaluated and their tendency to bioaccumulate has been reassessed as part of a selection process prior to field use. These less persistent toxicants are increasingly being used to minimise non-target exposure. Key words: Brodifacoum, toxicokinetics, food-chain uptake, secondary poisoning |
