Background:
In this study, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and arsenic
(As) contents in milk and different dairy product samples from in Iran (Tabriz) were measured.
Methods:
Samples of 10 brands of pasteurized milk, yoghurt, traditional and industrial kashk were selected
and quantitative analysis for heavy metals were performed by a Varian AA240fs atomic absorption
spectrometer with a Graphite Furnace (GTA 120).
Results:
The obtained ranges of mean heavy metals are given in the following: in milk 6.066-10.83,
2.343-6.070, 141.73-241.23, 2764.3-3151.3, 3.246-7.536ppb, in yoghurt 5.543-19.341, 3.143-8.830,
276.17-423.53, 2412.4-4115.7, 6.650-10.84, in industrial kashk 2.163-19.621, 1.541-13.45, 115.87-
565.40, 2588.4-5014.3, 4.346-20.351ppb, and in traditional kashk 7.972-32.723, 5.233-9.966, 416.42-
923.62, 4491.4-6402.3, 7.661-28.413 ppb, respectively.
Conclusion:
All the samples were below the internationally recognized permissible limits and did not
pose any health risk to the consumption of milk and dairy products in Tabriz.