Impact of Environmental Contaminants on Milk Quality: A Study on Heavy Metals in Milk Available in Peshawar

Abstract

Milk and dairy products are essential dietary components, but they may also contain chemical contaminants and pollutants, including heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium, and zinc. These heavy metals accumulate in milk and dairy products, posing a significant health risk, especially to infants and children who consume these products regularly. The present study focuses on the concentration of heavy metals in milk samples from different urban areas of Peshawar, with the aim of assessing potential health risks associated with milk consumption in the region. A total of 120 milk samples (60 buffalo milk and 60 cow milk) were collected from five urban locations in Peshawar and analyzed for cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) content using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The findings were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits for heavy metal contamination in milk.