Determination of Heavy Metals and Their Health Risks in Processed Poultry Products Collected from Dhaka City

Food safety is a significant public health concern, as contamination with toxic heavy metals (HMs) from environmental and anthropogenic activities poses serious risks, particularly in developing countries with limited regulatory oversight. This study assessed HM concentrations (Cd, Cr, Fe, and Pb) and associated health risks in processed poultry products (nuggets, burgers, sausages, and meatballs) collected from six locations in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 60 samples were collected from Mirpur, Uttara, Mohammadpur, Demra, Gulshan, and Lalbagh; 10 for each area were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Among the processed products, nuggets presented the highest concentrations of Fe (4.37 mg/kg) and Cr (0.038 mg/kg), sausages presented the highest Cd levels (0.003 mg/kg), and meatballs and sausages presented the highest Pb concentrations (0.05 mg/kg). All concentrations were within the FAO/WHO permissible limits, except for Cr in the nuggets, which slightly exceeded the standard. The estimated daily intake and hazard quotient values for all the metals indicated no significant health risks, as all the values remained below the threshold levels. Nuggets had the highest hazard index (0.049274) and metal pollution index (0.0409), reflecting elevated contamination compared with other products. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between Fe, Cr, and Cd in sausages (r = 0.53, 0.52, and 0.52, respectively; p < 0.05), whereas a strong negative correlation was observed between Pb in sausages and meatballs (p < 0.01). Processed poultry products in Dhaka pose a minimal noncarcinogenic health risk, but continuous monitoring is recommended to mitigate potential long-term exposure concerns.