Heavy metals in poultry chicken

Our earth's crust is the ultimate source of all metallic elements present in the ecosystem. Globally there are 35 metals that concern us because of residential or occupational exposure; 23 of these are the heavy metals. In this study, the level of heavy metals pollution in poultry chicken (Gallus domesticus) at Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta were investigated during the year 2007-9. A total 200 random poultry organs (liver, brain and heart) of same aged groups of chickens were collected from poultry shops of 6 selected locations, and 4 heavy metals Cd, Ni, Cu and Pb were analyzed. Based on results that all chickens samples were contaminated with Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu) and Lead (Pb). Copper has been recorded as highest level contamination as compared to three other metals Cd, Ni, and Pb. During the study on the basis of feeds samples analyzing, metals may be have been transferred via poultry feeds to poultry chickens. The research techniques and results are helpful for graduate and research students of Biological Sciences, Environmental Science and Poultry Science students.