Cadmium contamination of deer livers in New Jersey; human health risk assessment.

Eighty-six liver samples were collected from hunter-killed deer at various locations in New Jersey and analysed for cadmium. Concentrations ranged from 0.07 to 23.2 micrograms/g dry weight. Three of the highest concentrations were measured in samples collected from an area with known cadmium contamination resulting from past waste disposal practices. Significant differences in liver cadmium concentration were noted among deer from different areas (p less than 0.01) and among different age groups (p less than 0.01). No sex-related differences were observed (p = 0.48). A survey of deer liver consumption was conducted and the data were used in formulating a health advisory. The lack of knowledge about the effects of cadmium on wildlife health is discussed in relation to an expected increase in the land disposal of sewage.