Concentrations of metal residues in domestically produced and imported milk in Kosovo

The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of metal residues in cows’ milk and the health risks to humans from its consumption. In total 37 milk samples were analysed, namely 32 raw milk samples from domestic rural milk collection centres, and 5 imported sterilized milk samples from markets. The concentrations of chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) in the milk samples were from 0.06 to 20.3 μg/kg, 4.7 to 64.8 μg/kg, 2.16 to 65.99 μg/kg and 0.21 to 44.7 μg/kg, respectively. Concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) ranged from 157.52 to 989.95 μg/kg, 1429.63 to 5718.71 μg/kg, 0.12 to 2.01 μg/kg, 0.22 to 2.28 μg/kg, 0.00 to 0.29 μg/kg, and 0.17 to 4.29 μg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Mg, Fe and Zn were slightly higher in domestic milk samples than in imported milk. The concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were higher in imported milk samples than in the samples of domestic milk. Overall concentrations of minor elements had good nutritional values and the levels of the heavy toxic metals including As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were lower than the recommended limits and did not pose any threat to consumers.