Session: Undergraduate Research Posters: Analytical Chemistry:

Heavy metal pollution has negative consequences for the environment, wildlife, and human health. One common route of exposure to heavy metals is through contaminated food. Studies have shown elevated levels of lead and other heavy metals in locally sourced chicken eggs, which is of high concern for consumers. Heavy metals in eggs can also impact the development and hatching success of birds. For these reasons, the concentrations of lead, strontium, and cadmium in commercially and locally sourced chicken eggs, as well as wild eggs from central Ohio were determined using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Most chicken eggs had metal concentrations below the detection limit of the instrument, except for those from Aldi. Wild bird eggs had varied concentrations of analytes in yolks and shells based on species and source. The results of this investigation illustrate the effects of heavy metals in the central Ohio ecosystem and guide informed decisions on the safety of commercial chicken eggs.

Raymond Dudek

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