Investigating Heavy Metals Contamination Level in Poultry Feed and Layer Chicken Eggs and Its Associated Health Risk in Bangladesh

Background: Heavy metals contamination in poultry products are increasing public health concern in Bangladesh, due to rapid industrialization, contaminated irrigation water, and the use of low-quality feed ingredients and tannery waste contribute to metal accumulation in eggs.
Objectives: This study evaluated the concentrations of toxic and essential heavy metals in collected Layer feed samples and Layer eggs from major poultry-producing areas of Savar and Dhamrai, Bangladesh, and assessed the potential human health risks associated with their consumption.
Methodology: Five commercial and non-branded layer feed samples and eighteen egg samples from two farms were analyzed. Samples underwent acid digestion (HNO₃–HClO₄), followed by metal quantification using AAS and ICP-MS. Health risks were assessed using Average Daily Intake (ADI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) models.
Key Results: Feed samples showed metal concentrations ranging as follows: Ni (3.95–5.66 mgkg-1), Cd (0.11–0.33 mgkg-1), Pb (0.44–2.83 mgkg-1), Cr (0.00–13.48 mgkg-1), Cu (5.59–24.93 mgkg-1), and Zn (28.19–73.12 mgkg-1). Most of the metals were within permissible limits except Cr exceeded safety limit in several samples, indicating contamination from tannery waste. Egg samples contained significantly elevated concentrations: As (6.41–21.77 mgkg-1), Pb (1.20–6.33 mgkg-1), Cd (0.08–1.67 mgkg-1), Cr (8.76–15.08 mgkg-1), and Ni (0.44–4.62 mgkg-1); all above international limits. Essential elements were also high: Cu (3.48–11.73 mgkg-1), Zn (70.64–208.23 mgkg-1), Co (0.01–0.31 mgkg-1), and Be (0.002–0.013 mgkg-1). ADI values for As (0.035–0.121 mg/person/day) exceeded PMTDI in most samples, and HI values surpassed 1.0 in all sheds, signifying cumulative human health risks.
Conclusion: Layer eggs from Savar are heavily contaminated with toxic metals, especially As and Cr, posing significant health risks to consumers.

Heavy metals, Poultry feed, Eggs, Hazard quotient, Hazard index, Food safety, Bangladesh

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