HEAVY CADMIUM METAL DETERMINATION CONCENTRATION IN CHEESE

Objective: The purpose of this study was to look into the concentration of the heavy element Cadmium and its health risks in cheese samples available in Iraqi markets.  Methods: 72 random samples of six country groups (15 Iran, 9 Iraq, 9 Egypt, 15 Turkey, 15 Hungary, and 9 Saudi Arabia) available in Iraqi markets were collected and analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Shimadzu model AA7000, USA. Results: The highest average Cd metal level in the samples was found in Iranian cheese, while the lowest was in Iraqi ones. The descending Cd order of the countries was Turkey>Hungary>Egypt>Iran>Saudi Arabia>Iraq, according to the T-test confirmation. The daily Cd metal intake ( ), Cd target hazard quotient ( ), and Cd carcinogenic risk ( ) values were less than the permissible and risk values. Conclusion: Eventually, the health risk parameters revealed that there are no pose risks from those cheeses to Iraqi consumers.