Abstract
Background: The aim
of this study was to evaluate the content of mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), nickel
(Ni) and tin (Sn) in raw cow’s milk of traditional and industrial sites from 8
different sites in Arak City, Markazi Province, Iran.
Methods: In this cross
sectional study, a total of 32 samples were collected from sub-cities of Arak,
Iran via subjective sampling method. Both industrial and traditional dairy
farms were selected for sampling. Twenty-five gram of each sample was turned
to ash in ovens for metal analyses including Hg, As, Ni and Sn by anatomic
absorption spectrometer.
Results: The residue
amounts of Hg and As were lower than permissible limit suggested by Codex
Alimentarius, but for Ni and Sn it was higher only in one of the collection
sites. The average concentration of Hg was significantly higher (P<0.05)
in traditional farms as compared to industrial farms. Besides, amounts of Sn
was significantly high in the traditional farms (P<0.05). Further, a
high contents Ni was detected in industrial farms (P<0.05).
Conclusion: High Sn and Ni contents of
some milk samples from this region might be potentially hazardous to consumers.
Further, none of the other metals tested crossed permissible levels.