W. W. Benson

Swan mortality due to certain heavy metals in the Mission Lake area, Idaho

Thirteen swans found dead were collected from the Mission Lake area, Idaho during June 1974. The birds were autopsied and samples of tissue were analyzed. Radiographic analysis of gizzards revealed lead shot in only two birds. The highest lead level was found in the spleen of one swan (185 ppM). All birds but one had significant lead levels in the bones. The mean level in liver tissue was 23.31 ppM, and all birds showed liver values of 7 ppM or higher. The dead swans exhibited typical signs of lead poisoning. A blue-gray or greenish cast of the intestinal tract was observed and a similar discoloration was noted in the liver and kidney. It was believed that the lead pollution of the lakes and rivers of the area came from local mines and smelters. (JTE)

Pesticide and mercury levels in Pelicans in Idaho

Levels of organochlorine pesticides and mercury residues found in the White Pelican, Pelicanus erythrorhynchos, in southern Idaho are reported. Twelve white pelicans were collected and autopsied to obtain specimens for mercury analysis. They were collected along the Snake River about three miles downstream from the American Falls Reservoir. An additional bird was tested for organochlorine pesticides. This bird was found dead in the Lake Lowell region of Idaho at about the same time the other birds were collected. Analysis was made on each organ tissue separately and the results reported on a wet weight basis. The highest levels of mercury were found in the liver tissues, the highest mercury level being 32.80 ppm and the lowest level in the particular tissue 2.33 ppm. The organochlorine residues were so high in the single bird studied for these pesticides as to possibly account for its death. (MU)

Pesticide and Mercury Levels in Bear

Idaho Community Study on Pesticides Department o~ Agriculture Laboratory 2120 Warm Springs Avenue Boise, Idaho 83702 Black bear, Ursus americanus, occur statewide in Idaho and are hunted as a game animal. Since bears are eaten by humans, concern has been expressed as to what pesticide and mercury levels are present. Pesticide levels have been found in other game animals (PILLMORE and FINLEY, 1963; CASEBEER, 1965; GREENWOOD et al., 1967), but little information is available about bears. The purpose of this study was to determine pesti- cide and mercury levels in bear tissue collected during the October and November 1972 hunting season. Methods and Materials Analysis for pesticides was made on body fat for six of the eight bears studied and for the other two, muscle tissue was used. Fat and tissue samples were extracted with petroleum ether and partitioned against acetonitrile, using a modified procedure of de FAUBERT MAUNDER et al. (1964). The petroleum ether extract was then subjected to fractionation on a florosil column, details of which have been previously reported by MILLS (1961) and MILLS et al. (1963). Analysis was by tritium foil electron capture gas chromatography, using a Micro Tek 220 instrument equipped with two differing columns for confirmatory analysis. The following parameters were observed: Colunms: 4% SE-30, 6% QF-I on Chromosorb W, DCMS, 80-100 mesh. Temperatures :

Mercury in catfish and bass from the Snake River in Idaho

Monitoring was undertaken to determine differences between fish taken in impoundment areas and, at the same time, determine whether mercury levels increased with age of the fish. Results of the study corroborate the findings of other investigators in the case of bass alone; not so with the catfish studied. With the bass, for example, there was an increase in mercury concentration from 0.59 ppm to 0.72 ppm between the ages of two and four years in the impounded waters and from 0.67 ppm to 1.15 ppm for the same age period in the free flowing waters. Also there was a small increase in the mean values of from 0.65 to 0.79 ppm between the former to the latter group. This condition was not apparent, however, in the case of catfish, where both patterns with respect to age and habitat, if anything, seemed to be reversed. In all cases, however, except for catfish in the free flowing waters, the mean levels for mercury concentration set by the F.D.A. (0.50 ppm) was exceeded. On this basis, these results would seem to be of some concern to anglers.

An apparent case of pesticide poisoning.

CASES of poisoning from the organophosphate pesticides have been reported in many scientific journals. Usually, these poisonings have resulted from ignoring instructions or from accidents involving aircraft or farm machinery used to apply the pesticides. This paper deals with a unique case of possible organophosphate poisoning involving the private water supply of a person undergoing renal dialysis. Had it not been for the physical condition of the patient in this incident, the presence of the organophosphate pesticide in the water supply probably would not have been detected. In March 1969 a sanitarian from central Idaho requested that the State health laboratory perform a complete chemical and biochemical analysis, including a check for possible pesticide contamination, of a water sample submitted to him by a farm family. The request was prompted by the illness of a farmer who had a severe reaction after becoming dependent on the use of a renal dialysis machine.