Heavy metals in blood and milk of grazing animals around the vicinity of Zanjan zinc industrial park

Environmental pollution with heavy metals and consequently their entry into food chains leads to irreparable damage to human health. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of heavy metals including copper, zinc, lead and cadmium in blood and milk of grazing livestock around Zinc industry in Zanjan province (VSIPZ).

A total of 10 samples of grazing blood and milk were taken in each of the four geographical directions of the desired location. Also, in order to compare the current situation in the study area with the non-polluted areas, the control area (Qarah Poshtlu area of Zanjan) was considered. Dry ash method was used to digest organic matter.

The results showed that the concentration of copper in the blood of cows and sheeps and the concentration of lead in the blood of cows in the west of VSIPZ was higher than the control group (p <0.05). There was no significant difference between the study areas and the control in terms of zinc and cadmium concentration in blood samples. Copper concentrations in cows and sheeps milk were lower than the control group in the southern and eastern regions of the VSIPZ, respectively (p <0.05). Zinc and lead concentrations in sheeps’ milk were higher than the control in the south and west of the VSIPZ, respectively (p <0.05).

In general, the results implied that the accumulation of lead in sheeps’ milk in the west of VSIPZ is more than maximum allowable concentration and can endanger the health of consumers.