Health risk assessment of Cu, As, Cd and Pb in the broiler breast in Shenyang, China

Abstract In this cross-sectional study, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the levels of Cu, Pb, Cd, and As in 55 chicken breast samples collected in Shenyang, China. The estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TCR) were calculated to evaluate potential health risks from broiler breast consumption in different age groups. Heavy metal concentration in broiler breast samples was below the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by national and international regulations. Principal component analysis (PCA) results were similar to those of the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), mutually validating the two distinct groups of Pb-Cd-As and Cu, which indicated that there were similar sources for Pb, Cd and As but differ from that of Cu. EDI values for these metals in broiler breasts were far below the corresponding provisional tolerable daily intake values. THQ and HI were well below 1, indicating that there were no non-carcinogenic health risks for residents. The TCR from Pb was negligible in different age groups and the TCR of children exposed to As and Cd were acceptable. However, due to the non-degradability and bioaccumulation of metals, it is recommended that children, especially female children, should be the focus of future long-term surveillance when assessing the carcinogenicity of these metals.