New York City Pigeons as Sentinels for Environmental Lead Contamination

摘要

Previous studies have utilized feral pigeons as biological indicators of lead pollution in urban areas.1"4 Blood lead levels of 108 feral pigeons in New York City (NYC) were evaluated utilizing LeadCare II System test kits (Magellan Diagnostics Chelmsford, MA, USA). The feral birds were classified into those demonstrating neurological symptoms (77) and those without (31). A subset of 11 pigeons, euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study, had tissue lead analyzed by Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center. Blood lead levels of 12 neurologically normal indoor pigeons fed a commercial diet were evaluated as a control.