Trace elements in bovine milk from dairy farms in Sicily

The levels of trace elements in 36 milk samples were determined in dairy farms in Sicily. The determination of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Se and Zn were performed using an atomic absorbtion spectrophotometer. Among the toxic elements, the highest concentrations were those of Pb (range A.4-I7O.| 1tg/ k$ of which 22 samples were above the Maximum Residue I*vel of 20 St"g/ kg. The lowest levels were those of Cd (range <O.OI-2O.1 pglkg), while intermediate values were those of As (range <0.2-188.7 pglkd. Regarding essential elements, the highest concentrations were those of Zn(range3.7-9.6 mglkg), followed by Cu (range 9.I-229.9 pglkg) and Se (range 6.4-41.5 pglkg).