BACKGROUND: Hen eggs contaminated with lead can be harmful to the health of children and adults. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate if sub chronic treatment with ascorbic acid can reduce lead levels in the different parts of hen eggs after intentionally exposing the laying hens to a concentrated source of lead. ...Supplementing feedstuffs and water with sources of ascorbic acid could be beneficial in reducing lead levels in hen egg tissues following environmental exposure. ...