Assessment of Cadmium and Mercury Contamination of Milk and Dairy Products in Vietnam

Kien Xuan Nguyen; Chuyen Van Nguyen; Trang Thi Thu Nguyen; Ha Thi Nhi Tran; Dien Duc Nguyen; Ba Van Nguyen; Anh Tuan Le; Minh Duc Tong; Kha Van Tran; Truong Thi Hoang; Trung Hoang Nguyen; Thien Duc Nguyen; Hang Thi Dieu Dinh; Hung Van Mai; Phuong Minh Nguyen

doi:10.18502/jnfs.v9i3.16155

Kien Xuan Nguyen Department of Military Medical Command and Organization, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Chuyen Van Nguyen Department of Military Hygiene, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Trang Thi Thu Nguyen Department of Military Hygiene, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Ha Thi Nhi Tran Hanoi Department of Health, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Dien Duc Nguyen Department of Military Hygiene, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Ba Van Nguyen Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Anh Tuan Le Department of Military Hygiene, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Minh Duc Tong Department of Military Hygiene, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Kha Van Tran Department of Military Hygiene, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Truong Thi Hoang Department of Military Hygiene, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Trung Hoang Nguyen Department of Military Hygiene, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Thien Duc Nguyen Department of Military Hygiene, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Hang Thi Dieu Dinh Hai Duong Medical Technical University, Hai Duong city, Vietnam
Hung Van Mai Faculty of Education, VNU University of Education, Ha Noi city, Vietnam
Phuong Minh Nguyen Department of Military Occupational Medicine, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi city, Vietnam.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jnfs.v9i3.16155

Keywords: Heavy metals; Cadmium; Mercury; Milk; Dairy products.

Abstract

Background: Milk and dairy products are nutritious and can play a significant role in a healthy diet. The safety of milk decreases with increase in concentration of Cadmium (Cd) and Mercury (Hg). The aim is to evaluate the status of Cd and Hg contamination regarding milk and dairy products in some provinces and cities of Vietnam. Methods: 367 samples of liquid milk, yogurt, cheese, milk cake and milk powder were collected in six large cities and provinces of Vietnam, then Cd and Hg levels were quantitatively analyzed. Samples were digested before analysis to remove organic compounds, and the heavy metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: The average concentrations of Cd and Hg in liquid milk were 64.55 and 29.99 ppb; in yogurt, 49.09 and 24.72 ppb; in cheese, 115.81 and 33.75 ppb; in milk cake, 84.44 and 18.08 ppb; and in milk powder, 61.78 and 43.21 ppb, respectively. Conclusion: Hg concentrations in 19.3% of liquid milk, 9.49% of yogurt, 14.29% of cheese, 9.09% of milk cake, and 22% of milk powder were higher than the maximum permitted levels according to national regulations. In contrast, Cd concentrations of all the samples were less than the maximum permitted levels so as not to affect the health of consumers of milk and dairy products produced and processed in Vietnam.