HEAVY METALS LEVELS IN RAW COW’S MILK AND HEALTH RISK IMPLICATION FROM THERMAL POWER PLANTS EMISSION IN OBILIC, KOSOVA

Abstract

Contamination of food reflects the most serious consequences of environmental contamination, whereas cow's milk is considered the most representative food source contaminated with heavy metals. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the level of toxic heavy metals (Cd, Pb) and nutrition elements (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Cr, Zn) in cow milk collected from different sites in the Industrial area of thermal power plant in Obilic, Kosova. To determine the level of presence of chemical elements, total of 153 cow milk samples are collected from 51 cows. From each location sites during the morning milking in the different seasons [spring (phase I), summer (phase II), and autumn (phase III)]. Elements were determined using SAA atomic spectrometry. The results of this study indicate that heavy metals content extend the recommended values by International Dairy Federation and Codex Alimentarius Commission in all three phases of monitoring, and also there is a strong correlation between heavy metals and nutritional elements in cow's milk.