Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Exposure From Consumption of Wild and Domesticated Birds' Meat

The evaluation of heavy metals contamination in wild and domesticated birds is of great alarm for both food safety and environmental impact assessment. The present study was designed to assess heavy metal residues in the muscle and liver of nine species of wild and domesticated birds, focusing on lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As). The concentration of all examined metals was higher in liver than meat samples of all examined species. The highest level of Pb, Cd and Hg was 0.32 ± 0.03, 0.08± 0.019 and 0.086± 0.08 mg/kg in liver of Nycticrax nycticorax (N. nycticorax). Meanwhile, the highest level of arsenic was 0.380 ± 0.05 and 0.312± 0.03 mg/kg detected in liver of Anas platyrhynchos dometicus (A. platyrhynchos) and N. nycticorax,, respectively. The acceptability in muscle according to concentration of Pb, Cd, Hg, and As was 42.22%, 93.33%, 100%, and 97.77%, respectively. The estimated daily intake (EDI) due to consumption of wild birds and domestic fowl was below the Tolerable Daily Intakes (TDIs). Furthermore, the target hazard quotient (THQ) for all examined heavy metals was below one, indicating no probable health hazard will occur to the consumer. There is no potential risk of all investigated metals in wild and domesticated birds on Egyptians.