Estimated daily intake and health risk of heavy metals by consumption of milk

Health risk assessment of arsenic, lead and cadmium from milk consumption in Punjab, India

Milk is an integral part of the human diet and its contamination with heavy metals may alter the health of its consumers. The study was conducted to assess the health risk associated with the heavy metals in milk samples collected from urban and rural households of Ludhiana and Bathinda districts of Punjab, India. One hundred and fifty milk samples were analyzed for heavy metals i.e. arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry ICP-MS. The health risks, such as non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from heavy metals in milk samples, were calculated for selected males and females of adults, children and elderly subjects. The results indicated that the arsenic, cadmium and lead content in milk samples were within permissible limit whereas mercury was not detected in any sample. The mean values showed that the selected urban and rural population of both districts was safe from non-carcinogenic risk associated with heavy metal content of milk. However, urban (50% males and 86% females) and rural (25% males) children of Bathinda district were at risk of cancer from arsenic and cadmium present in milk samples, respectively. It was also observed that the selected population of both districts were safe from carcinogenic risk due to the combined effects of heavy metals. It was concluded that even with a small amount of heavy metal in milk samples, the rural adults, rural male children and urban female children of Bathinda district had carcinogenic risk due to milk consumption. Hence, regular monitoring and testing of milk samples must be done as a public health measure to prevent heavy metal contamination in milk to safeguard the health of consumers.

Application of Bentonite Clay, Date Pit, and Chitosan Nanoparticles as Promising Adsorbents to Sequester Toxic Lead and Cadmium from Milk

Evaluating residual lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels in food products, especially milk, is critical for product safety and quality. In this purview, the current study aims to determine Pb and Cd concentrations in milk using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and compare their values with international standards. In addition, it aims to remove these metals from milk samples using low-cost, naturally occurring materials, such as bentonite, date pit, and chitosan nanoparticles. The ability of potential adsorbents was also investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Moreover, their impact on milk's nutritional properties was considered. The results revealed that most milk samples contained Pb and Cd, with mean values of 0.237 ± 0.179 and 0.041 ± 0.036 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, the three possible adsorbents demonstrated high sequestering ability due to their existing functional groups; the adsorption capacity of bentonite to Pb and Cd was 84 and 88%, date pit was 97 and 93%, and chitosan nanoparticles were 82 and 98%, respectively, with no discernible change in milk nutritional contents. In conclusion, the bentonite, date pit, and chitosan nanoparticles were found to be significantly effective and safe in removing hazardous trace elements (Pb and Cd) from contaminated milk.

Cadmium exposure in population: alcoholic beverage consumption and health risk assessment

Risk assessment of cadmium (Cd) for human health play a key role because of toxic effect. Researchers are undergoing constant development for modelling approaches to make a risk assessment. It was carried out a central composite design combining with response surface modeling to optimize and modeling of Cd2+ ions in this study. Also, this study was performed to provide information about possible risk associated with alcoholic beverage consumption. Some independent process parameters including contact time and pH were chosen for optimization. Under optimal parameters, 142.9 mg g-1 was determined as Cd2+ ions removal effectiveness. Significance independent parameters and their interactions were checked using analysis of variance. These results were verified by correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.9967) of the statistical prediction. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotients (THQ) were calculated, to assess health risk. The Cd2+ ions EDI values (µg/day/person) were less than the recommended dietary allowance values and also, its THQ value was less than 1, also. When the obtained results compared with the levels set by regulatory authorities, the studied alcoholic beverages consumption do not pose a toxicological risk.

Graphical abstract

S. M. Montenegro MC, Rodríguez-Díaz JM. Contaminants in the cow's milk we consume? Pasteurization and other technologies in the elimination of contaminants

Cow's milk is currently the most consumed product worldwide. However, due to various direct and indirect contamination sources, different chemical and microbiological contaminants have been found in cow's milk. This review details the main contaminants found in cow's milk, referring to the sources of contamination and their impact on human health. A comparative approach highlights the poor efficacy and effects of the pasteurization process with other methods used in the treatment of cow's milk. Despite pasteurization and related techniques being the most widely applied to date, they have not demonstrated efficacy in eliminating contaminants. New technologies have appeared as alternative treatments to pasteurization. However, in addition to causing physicochemical changes in the raw material, their efficacy is not total in eliminating chemical contaminants, suggesting the need for new research to find a solution that contributes to improving food safety.

Chemical hazards in smoked meat and fish

This review aims to give an insight into the main hazards currently found in smoked meat and fish products. Literature research was carried out on international databases such as Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) database, Science direct, and Google scholar to collect and select 92 relevant publications included in this review. The smoking process was described and five hazards mostly found in smoked fish and meat were presented. The heat-induced compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic amines, and nitrosamines were found in smoked fish and meat. Other hazards such as biogenic amines and heavy metals were also present in smoked fish and meat. The levels of these hazards reported from the literature exceeded the maximal limits of European Union. A brief description of risk assessment methodology applicable to such toxic compounds and risk assessment examples was also presented in this review. As most of the hazards reported in this review are toxic and even carcinogenic to humans, actions should be addressed to reduce their presence in food to protect consumer health and to prevent public health issue.

The Occurrence, Pathways, and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Raw Milk from Industrial Areas in China

This study evaluated chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) contamination in raw milk from industrial areas in China, identified the possible pathways of heavy metals from the environment to raw milk, and made a risk assessment of the consumption of heavy metals from milk consumption. The Cr, As, Cd, and Pb concentrations in raw milk, water and silage were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The Cr and As in soil were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry, respectively. Cd and Pb in soil were determined by a Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The Cr and As concentrations in milk from industrial areas were 2.41 ± 2.12 and 0.44 ± 0.31 μg/kg, respectively, which were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those from non-industrial areas, which had levels of 1.10 ± 0.15 and 0.25 ± 0.09 μg/kg, respectively. Chromium was mainly transferred through the soil-silage-milk pathway, As was transferred through the water-silage-milk pathway, while Cd was mainly transferred through the soil (water)-silage-milk pathway. The contributions of each metal to the overall hazard index (HI) followed a descending order of As, Cr, Pb, and Cd, with values of 46.64%, 25.54%, 24.30%, and 3.52%, respectively. Children were at higher risk than adults.

Lead, cadmium, and aluminum in raw bovine milk: Residue level, estimated intake, and fate during artisanal dairy manufacture

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to determine the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and aluminum (Al) in raw bovine milk. Milk consumption was used to calculate the estimated weekly intake (EWI), provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), and target hazard quotient (THQ) for individuals. Metal distribution in dairy products and byproducts was studied as a result of artisanal processing.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy-five raw bovine milk samples were collected from artisanal producers in Alexandria city, West Delta, Egypt, and analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The effect of artisanal dairy processing on metal distribution was studied.

RESULTS

The averages of Pb, Cd, and Al in milk samples were 45.06, 4.77, and 2.93 μg/l, with 13.33% and 1.33% of analyzed samples had Pb and Al levels higher than the permissible limits, respectively. The EWI values of Pb, Cd, and Al were 1.050, 0.111, and 0.068 μg/kg body weight, which contributed to about 4.20%, 1.59%, and 0.97% from the PTWI, respectively. The THQ of three metals was <1, which referred to safe consumption. Metal residues were heavily concentrated in artisanal cheese and yogurt after coagulation and fermentation compared with other dairy products. Accordingly, the maximum average and reduction values of Pb, Cd, and Al were 745.87, 51.99, and 71.58 μg/l and -72.87%, -56.5%, and -40.96% in Damietta cheese; 535.51, 40.11, and 62.43 μg/l and -24.11%, -20.74%, and -22.94%) in Kareish cheese; and 418.42, 31.26, and 50.66 μg/l and 3.02%, 5.90%, and 0.27% in yogurt, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that consumption of raw bovine milk did not pose a risk to Alexandria citizens. Metal concentration increased in artisanal cheese and yogurt because of metal bio-gathering after coagulation and fermentation. Fat separation, churning, and boiling milk might keep metal concentration in dairy products and byproducts at lower levels than milk. Thus, they are suggested to be applied especially in highly contaminated areas.

Estimation of cadmium content in Egyptian foodstuffs: health risk assessment, biological responses of human HepG2 cells to food-relevant concentrations of cadmium, and protection trials using rosmarinic and ascorbic acids

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that can get entry into human body via ingestion of contaminated foods causing multiple organ damage. This study aimed at monitoring Cd residues in 20 foodstuffs of animal origin that are commonly consumed in Egypt. Health risk assessment was conducted via calculation of Cd dietary intakes and non-carcinogenic target hazard quotient. An in vitro approach was performed to investigate the constitutive effects of Cd on human hepatoma (HepG2) cells under food-relevant concentrations. Trials to reduce Cd-induced adverse effects on HepG2 cells were done using rosmarinic (RMA) and ascorbic acids (ASA). The achieved results indicated contamination of the tested foodstuffs with Cd at high levels with potential human health hazards. Cd at food-relevant concentrations caused significant cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells. This may be attributed to induction of oxidative stress and inflammation, as indicated by the overexpression of stress and inflammatory markers. At the same time, Cd downregulated xenobiotic transporters and upregulated the proliferation factors. Co-exposure of HepG2 cells to Cd and micronutrients such as RMA and ASA led to recovery of cells from the oxidative damage, and subsequently cell viability was strongly improved. RMA and ASA ameliorated the biological responses of HepG2 cells to Cd exposure.

Health risk due to chronic heavy metal consumption via cow's milk produced in Puebla, Mexico, in irrigated wastewater areas

The aim of this study was to determine the heavy metals content of milk from cows fed with forage irrigated with waste water from industrial sources and the health risk to children. Milk samples were taken from milk collection tanks of eight localities in the state of Puebla. On average, the heavy metals in the milk had the following order Zn> As> Pb > Cr> Cu > Ni. Pb (0.03 mg kg^-1) exceeded the Codex limits. For As the hazard index was 8.0 ± 0.4, which is far above 1. On the other hand, the individual risk of cancer showed a descending order Cr> As > Pb, while the risk of total cancer (0.004 ± 0.002) indicated that the combined effect of heavy metals created a serious risk for girls and children.

Heavy metals in cow's milk and cheese produced in areas irrigated with waste water in Puebla, Mexico

The aim of this work was to determine Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, and As levels in raw milk and Oaxaca and ranchero type cheeses, produced in areas irrigated with waste water from Puebla in Mexico. Milk results showed a mean Pb level of 0.03 mg kg^-1, which is above the maximum limit as set by Codex Alimentarius and the European Commission standards. For As a mean value of 0.12 mg kg^-1 in milk was obtained. Mean As and Pb levels in milk were below the Mexican standard. Milk whey and ranchero cheese had mean Pb levels of 0.07 and 0.11 mg kg^-1, respectively. As was higher in Oaxaca and ranchero cheese at 0.17 and 0.16 mg kg^-1, respectively. It was concluded that cheeses made from cow's milk from areas irrigated with waste water are contaminated with Pb and As, which may represent a health risk.

Determination of Aflatoxin M1 and Heavy Metals in Infant Formula Milk Brands Available in Pakistani Markets

Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) after its bioconversion from aflatoxin B₁ in animal liver becomes the part of milk while heavy metals get entry into milk and milk products during handling in the supply chain. Aflatoxin M₁ and heavy metals being toxic compounds are needed to be monitored continuously to avoid any ailments among consumers of foods contaminated with such toxicants. Thirteen commercially available infant formula milk (IFM) brands available in Pakistani markets were analyzed for the quantitative determination of AFM₁ and heavy metals through ELISA and atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively. AFM₁ was found positive in 53.84% samples while 30.76% samples were found exceeding the maximum EU limit i.e. 0.025 μg/kg for AFM₁ in IFM. Heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were found below the detection limits in any of the sample, whereas the concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) ranged between 45.40-97.10, 29.72-113.50 and <0.001-50.90 μg/kg, respectively. The concentration of Fe in all the tested brands was found in normal ranges while the concentrations of Zn and Ni were found exceeding the standard norms. Elevated levels of AFM₁, Zn and Ni in some of the tested IFM brands indicated that a diet completely based on these IFM brands might pose sever health implications in the most vulnerable community i.e., infants.