Published Paper Details:

The present study investigates the selected heavy metal concentration (cadmium and lead) and trace elements (iron and copper) in different brands of pasteurized milk available at local market of Raipur. Total six samples of pasteurized milk (based on the availability at local market) were purchased and brought to the laboratory and 20 ml of each sample were digested and absorbance of these solutions was obtained using AAS for cadmium, lead and iron and copper respectively. The analyzed metals were observed in the following decreasing order of concentration: Fe> Pb> Cd> Cu. The concentration of lead in the milk samples ranged as 0.31 to 0.40 mg/l, which is far more than the limits (0.025mg/l) given by Joint Expert Committee on Food and Agriculture and World Health Organization. Level of cadmium (0.032 to 0.041mg/l) in every sample was found low than the limits (0.057 0.071mg/l) given by Joint Expert Committee on Food and Agriculture and World Health Organization. The concentration of iron was ranged as 0.392 to 0.927mg/l. Except the sample 3 which had 0.392mg/l of iron, all the other milk samples exceed the limits (0.5mg/l) given by Joint Expert Committee on Food and Agriculture and World Health Organization. The values of copper were ranged from 0.019 to 0.049mg/l which is above the prescribed limit of copper (0.01mg/l) by JECFA (1989). It is clear from the result that except cadmium other three metals (Pb, Fe and Cu) are exceeding the permissible limits. To monitor the level of heavy metals, water used for drinking animals and forage should be regularly inspected.