Health Risk Assessment of Metal(loid) Contamination in Raw Cow's Milk from the Colombian Caribbean Region

Milk is a daily source of essential nutrients, but the presence of trace metals raises significant health concerns about the quality of dairy products. This study investigated the presence of and human health exposure to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in raw cow milk produced in the Caribbean region of Colombia, during both dry and rainy seasons. A total of 100 samples were collected from farms in five zones and analysed for toxic metal(loid)s, including Pb, Cr, Hg and As. Metal(loid) concentrations were generally higher during the rainy season, except for Hg, which showed elevated concentrations during the dry season. During the rainy season, values increased by factors of 20, 44, 3 and 0.5 for Pb, Cr, As and Hg, respectively. The year-round median concentrations of Pb, Cr, As and Hg in milk were 2.23, 44, 2.93 and 0.18 µg/L, respectively. The hazard index (HI) was higher than 1 in both adults and children, indicating a significant health risk of exposure to metal(loid)s in the milk-consuming population. Frequent milk consumption posed no public health concern for carcinogenic risk related to Pb and As across age groups. However, the estimated carcinogenic risk for Cr exceeded the USEPA guidance reference value for both children (1.7·10^-4) and adults (4.8·10^-4) indicating a potential public health concern across all age groups. In conclusion, it is essential not to underestimate the health risks associated with frequent milk consumption. Immediate action and stricter regulations on consumption are urgently needed to prevent potential public health emergencies.