Impact of heavy metal contamination on milk and underground water of the New Valley, Egypt

Abstract

The incidence and levels of heavy metals; lead, cadmium and iron were estimated in water of shallow & deep wells as well as milk of cows reared on those wells in the New Valley Governorate, Egypt. All the samples were contaminated with such elements. The average levels in water were 0.19, 0.03 and 1.44, while in milk were 0.215, 0.05 and 0.73 for Pb, Cd and Fe respectively. Percentages of Pb, Cd and Fe levels exceeding permissible levels in water and milk samples were determined. Also, daily and weekly intakes were estimated and compared to standard intakes. Moreover, comparison of standard Pb, Cd and Fe daily intakes from the consumption of 200 ml milk with the estimated intakes in milk samples was done.