Assessment of human health risk associated with the presence of pesticides in chicken eggs

Hazardous substances including persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic substances (PBTs), are chemicals which do not degrade easily in the environment. They typically accumulate in fatty tissues and are slowly metabolized often resulting in increased concentration through the food chain. Pesticides have also been used for breeding animals mainly to protect them from infestation of pests. The main source of human exposure to these pesticides is ingestion of animal and plant products that have been treated with persistent pesticides. Due to health concerns related to pesticides contaminated plants and foodstuff, European Union established Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides found in food of animal origin such as meat products, eggs and poultry products (Food and Agricultural Program of the United Nation, 2015).