Non-carcinogenic risk assessment of cadmium and lead in raw milk from dairy production farms in Iran, using Monte Carlo simulation approach

Abstract

This study evaluated toxic metal concentration in raw milk and related potential health risks. 100 raw milk samples and 30 water samples consumed by cows were gathered from 10 dairy farms in Behbahan county, and Pb and Cd were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). In raw milk samples, mean Pb and Cd levels were 0.55 ± 0.09 and 0.0031 ± 0.0004 mg/l, respectively. Concentrations of Pb and Cd in cows' drinking water were 0.0035 ± 0.0007 and 0.0022 ± 0.0001 mg/l, respectively. Health risk assessment and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) were used to undertake the exposure assessment and estimate the examined elements' noncarcinogenic effects. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values in the milk were for Cd (0.044) and Pb (0.314), respectively, which showed non-carcinogenic health risk in the computed hazard quotient for the discussed elements. The findings of the sensitivity analysis indicated that body mass and milk consumption rate had the biggest influence on the predicted risk. The heavy metal concentrations were within the acceptable level, and there was no carcinogenic health concern. However, it is necessary to prevent contaminating milk with toxic metals. Furthermore, it is necessary to check cows' feed to find the source of toxic metals.