Abstract:
Milk and dairy products are
nutritious foods that are beneficial to human
health at all life stages and provide essential
nutrients required by the body. However,
despite their importance, these products are
susceptible to contamination by toxic
environmental pollutants, such as lead (Pb),
originating from surrounding environmental
sources. This study aimed to evaluate the
potential health risks associated with Pb
exposure in adults and children through the
consumption of contaminated milk and dairy
products from various locations in Egypt
using estimated daily intake, target hazard
quotient, and excess cancer risk metrics. The
data indicated that the daily intake (DI) of Pb
in the raw milk samples ranged from 131.6 to
557.9 μg in industrial areas, 107.7 to 456.6 μg
in traffic areas, and 35.8 to 151.7 μg in rural
areas. In contrast, the DI of Pb in sterilised
milk ranged from 19.3 to 82.0 μg in industrial
areas, 17.9 to 75.7 μg in traffic areas, and 16.0
to 67.8 μg in rural areas. For processed
cheese, values ranging from 2.0 to 2.4, 2.5 to
2.9, and 2.4 to 2.8 μg were found across these
areas, respectively. The mean DI values of Pb
were 70.1, 59.7, and 11.5 μg for Domiati
cheese samples and 112.2, 103.7, and 481.6
μg for Ras cheese from industrial, traffic, and
rural areas, respectively. The measured health
risk indices showed no significant risks
associated with the consumption of the dairy
products examined, except for raw milk,
particularly when consumed in large
quantities from industrial and traffic areas.
Purchasing raw milk from contaminated
industrial or traffic zones should be avoided
to limit its consumption, particularly for
children.
