Assessment of levels of copper, cadmium and lead in secretion of mammary gland of cows grazed on open fields

The levels of copper, cadmium and lead were determined in milk samples from cows grazed on open fields. The use of H2O2 cleared the residual colours of the metal solutions following digestion with HNO3 acid. The results of the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric analysis of the metal solutions from the milk samples showed the metal concentrations in the order Pb (0.531±0.299 mg/dm3)>Cd (0.257±0.127 mg/dm3)>Cu (0.062±0.026 mg/dm3). The levels of Pb and Cd in the milk samples studied exceeded the permissible maximum daily intake recommended by W.H.O. in the health criteria. Keywords: Copper, Cadmium, Lead, Cow, mammary gland, secretion