Heavy metals accumulation in the meat, kidney and liver of cattle, broilers and goats sold in Quetta, northwestern city of Balochistan, Pakistan

1. It was assumed that the concentrations of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and mercury (Hg) in the meat, kidney and liver of cattle, broilers and goats within Quetta city potentially exceeded the permissible limits for heavy metal content. Risk assessment of these heavy metals on human health were estimated based on daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI).2. Samples of the meat, liver and kidney of cattle, broilers and goats were collected from butcher shops and slaughterhouses in 20 different areas of Quetta city. Overall, 180 samples were analysed, each for six heavy metals. After acid digestion of meat samples, heavy metals analysis was carried out via atomic absorption spectroscopy.3. The results varied in levels depending upon the species and organ type. The average concentrations of As, Pb and Hg were within the established reference limits of the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA 2015) and the European Commission (EC, 2006), although some samples exceeded these limits. Compared with the kidney and meat, the liver was the primary tissue for Cr, Pb and Hg bioaccumulation. Metals concentration were mostly within the normal range in samples from cattle and goats, while the Mn concentration was elevated in broilers.4. The estimated daily intake (EDI) revealed that the intake of As, Co, Pb and Hg was mainly derived from goat and cattle products, whereas broiler samples were more contaminated with Cr and Mn. The EDIs of Cr and Hg in adults exceeded the oral reference dose, referring to potential adverse effects. The EDIs for Co and Mn were low, suggesting that additional intake sources were necessary. Except for As, none of the determined elements had a target hazard quotient (THQ) above 1.