Heavy Metal Contents in Cow and Buffalo Milk Samples from Haryana

A total of 65 cow and 126 buffalo milk samples were collected from different districts of Haryana covering industrial and non-industrial areas of two zones as per agro-climatic conditions of the state. Lead (Pb)content of cow and buffalo milk averaged 0.035±0.009, 0.048±0.009 and 0.100±0.007, 0.090±0.013 ppm in zone 1 and 2, respectively, showing significant differences between zones. Significantly higher Pb values were observed in cow (0.091 vs. 0.065 ppm) as well as buffalo milk (0.107 vs. 0.059 ppm) samples collected from industrial locations. Cadmium (Cd) content of cow milk was significantly (P<0.05) higher in zone 2 as compared to zone 1 (0.008 vs 0.004 ppm). Cd content in milk of two species from industrial and non industrial areas was comparable. Mercury (Hg) content in buffalo milk varied from 0 to 2.78 ppb and 0 to 1.3 ppb in the two zones. Buffalo milk from industrial area contained significantly (P<0.05) higher Hg than non-industrial area. Hg in cow milk between industrial and non- industrial areas was comparable. There was huge variation in Arsenic (As) content of buffalo milk in zone 2 in comparison to zone 1. As and Hg contents were higher in cow milk than in buffalo milk.