Cadmium and Silver Content of Market Milk

Abstract

Market milk samples collected on a quarterly basis from various cities in the United States were analyzed for cadmium (Cd) and silver (Ag) content by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average Cd content of milk from different cities varied between 0.017 and 0.030 ppm. Significant differences in Cd content from one sampling period to another were noted. Milk from all states except the Southeastern states showed significant differences from one city to another. The average Ag content of milk from different cities varied between 0.027 and 0.054 ppm. The Ag content of milk did not vary significantly from one city to another. Only in milk from Southeastern states was a significant difference noted from one sampling period to another. Analysis of 32 milk samples from individual cows showed Cd variations from 0.020 to 0.037 ppm and Ag variations from 0.037 to 0.059 ppm with averages of 0.026 and 0.047 ppm, respectively.