Investigate the Contamination of Raw Milk Heavy Metals by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry in Marvdasht

Background and aim: Today, cow's milk is one of the most important and widely consumed animal milks by humans and a unique source of food for all ages. The contamination of milk with heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium is considered as a danger to humans. Heavy metal poisoning has adverse effects on humans that is much more common in childhood. This study was conducted to evaluate the levels of lead, mercury and cadmium in raw milk in Marvdasht. Materials and Methods: In this study, ۳۰ samples of raw cow milk were collected from milk collection centers in Marvdasht and tested for residual heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results: It was found that the average level of lead was equal to ۰.۰۱۲۱۷ and for cadmium was ۰.۱۳۴۰ and mercury was ۰.۰۰۵۰ in the samples, which according to the standard level of lead, mercury and cadmium in milk in the codex, it indicates that the average accumulated concentration of lead metals in all samples was within the standard range, but the average concentration of cadmium and mercury indicates that the average concentration exceeds the standard limit. Conclusion: Measurements of the samples showed that the level of lead was lower and the level of mercury and cadmium was higher than the global standard, so in order to increase the health and food safety for consumers, considering more monitoring, including the city’s livestock feed, water consumption, forage cultivation and controlling the pollutants emitted from industrial centers adjacent to livestock are recommended.