Determination of lead and cadmium in milk by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The concentration of lead and cadmium in different kinds of milk samples (powdered, infant formula, market, buffalo, condensed and human) were determined using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique. Among all the varieties of milk analysed, condensed milk was found to contain much higher amount of lead. Human milk as expected was found to have lowest concentration of these elements. The results were compared with the reported values of other countries. Daily intake of these toxic elements by adults and babies up to the age of six months through the consumption of various types of milk was estimated and compared with the tolerance levels.