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

ABSTRACT: 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 i

SUBMITTER: Fuentes-Gandara F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12847161 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature