Concentration of toxic metals in milk, especially in industrial regions, may serve as a direct bioindicator of the quality of milk and its products. But it can also function as an indirect indicator of contamination of the environment where milk is produced. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the content of some trace elements, i.e. Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn, as well as toxic elements (Cd and Pb) in milk from cows maintained on farms in three regions of Poland, including the production season as another aspect of the investigations. In total, 446 milk samples were analyzed. Significant influence of the season and production region on all the analyzed elements except Fe was noticed. Milk collected in the Biebrza and Bieszczady regions proved to be a richer source of Cu and Mn. Regardless of the production region, a higher content of Zn and Cu were observed in the summer, while more Mn was found in the winter milk. In none of the analyzed milk samples, Pb or Cd exceeded the permissible threshold.

17.4.2012