Community cats managed under Trap–Neuter–Return as sentinels of human dietlinked chemical exposure across contrasting feeding contexts

This repository contains the pre-proof version of the article “Community cats managed under Trap–Neuter–Return as sentinels of human diet-linked chemical exposure across contrasting feeding contexts,” accepted for publication in Environmental Pollution.

The study evaluates whether community cats managed under Trap–Neuter–Return (TNR) programs can serve as sentinel species for monitoring diet-related environmental chemical exposure relevant to human populations. Whole blood samples from 205 free-roaming cats captured during TNR campaigns in two Canary Islands—La Graciosa and Gran Canaria—were analyzed for a broad suite of contaminants, including 55 elements and more than 360 organic compounds using validated ICP-MS and LC/GC–MS/MS analytical workflows.

Results revealed clear differences in chemical exposure profiles between islands, reflecting contrasting feeding environments. Cats from La Graciosa showed a marine-influenced chemical signature, with markedly higher mercury and arsenic concentrations and higher composite burdens of persistent organic pollutants (ΣPOPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ΣPAHs). In contrast, cats from Gran Canaria showed higher levels of rare-earth and technology-related elements associated with urban environments.

These findings demonstrate that integrating biomonitoring into routine TNR programs provides a practical and minimally invasive framework for environmental chemical surveillance under a One Health perspective.