A total of sixty random samples of raw milk, fermented milk (Egyptian laban rayeb) and kareash cheese (20 for each) were collected from different locations from Kafer Elziat city at Gharbia governorate for determination of their residues of some heavy metals (lead and cadmium).
The results showed that the average concentrations of lead were 0.31±0.07, 0.57±0.09 and 0 ppm for raw milk, fermented milk and kareash cheese, respectively. While those for cadmium were 0.13±0.03, 0.27±0.03 and 0.28±0.24 ppm for the same samples, respectively. Furthermore, the percentage of raw milk, fermented milk and kareash cheese samples which exceeded the safe permissible limits were 30%, 55% and 0% for lead (0.5 mg/kg) and 40%, 75% and 80% for cadmium (0.1mg/kg), respectively. However, all examined samples of kareash cheese come in accordance with the standard limits of lead. The significance of contamination with such pollutants and their public health hazards were discussed.