ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CONTAMINANTS FOUND IN THE HEAD AND FEET OF DOMESTIC CHICKENS

This study assessed the concentration of five heavy metal contaminants Lead (Pb), pathways bymimicking calcium and disrupting neurotransmitter release, thereby (1994) and WHO. As a toxic heavy metal, Lead interferes with normal biochemical impairing brain function (Baykov, 2019). The head also recorded the highest concentration of Cadmium (0.03 ± 0.001 mg/kg), followed by the feet (0.017 ± well below the permissible limit (2.0 mg/kg), indicating normal background levels concentration was highest in the feet (0.374 ± 0.0013mg/kg). While Chromium (III) is an essential element, Chromium (VI) is carcinogenic, and the adult daily without contamination concern (Rahman, 2020). Overall, the findings dem onstrate significant contamination, particularly with Lead and Cadmium in the chicken head, requirement is estimated between 0.02 and 0.5 mg/day (Tarley et al., 2001). Finally, thatthe head contained the highest concentration of Lead (11.743 ± 0.091 mg/kg), suggesting a potential public health risk that warrants continuous monitoring and Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), and Manganese (Mn) in the head and 0.0019 mg/kg). Cadmium is highly toxic to wildlife and is known to cause severe was highest in the feet (0.542 ± 0.0079 mg/kg)and lowest in the head (0.516 ± 0.0051 a value that significantly exceeded the required regulatory limits set by both the NRC Manganese (Mn) was present at a low concentration (0.52 ± 0.68 mg/kg), which is mg/kg), with the values being slightly higher than a previously reported value for sub-lethal and lethal effects, including cancer and potential mutation, even at low feet of domestic chickens sampled from Damaturu, Yobe State. The results revealed domestic chicken (0.433 mg/kg) (Haleedu et al., 2015). Similarly, Chromium (Cr) environmental concentrations (Eisler, 2017). Conversely, Zinc (Zn) concentration regulatory action.