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<p>Coal mining releases numerous contaminants, threatening ecosystems and soil communities. Metals enter water and soil, accumulate in plants, and pass to livestock through grazing. A fraction of metals is excreted into milk, making it a potential vector for human exposure to hazardous metals. Present research was conducted in the coal mining areas of Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan, to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals in raw buffalo milk and to determine the possible health risks to human consumers. Milk samples obtained from buffaloes of different age groups were analyzed for heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn), using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Health hazard indicators, including Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Lifetime Cancer Risk (CR), were calculated. The results revealed varying levels of contamination, with Pb significantly higher in Minhala than Choa (0.35 ± 0.004 vs. 0.32 ± 0.01&#xa0;mg/L; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) and Cu markedly elevated in Choa Saidan Shah (0.19 ± 0.012 vs. 0.10 ± 0.004&#xa0;mg/L; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Age-wise analysis showed significantly higher Cd levels in buffaloes ≥ 6 years compared to younger groups (0.06 ± 0.005&#xa0;mg/L; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), while Fe was the highest in younger animals (1.63 ± 0.06 vs. 0.66 ± 0.11&#xa0;mg/L; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Moreover, a few heavy metals exceeded recommended safety thresholds. The THQ and HI values for all metals were below 1 for adults, whereas for children, they often exceeded safe limits, indicating a potential non-carcinogenic risk. Similarly, the CR values for Cd, Pb, and Cr were all within the permissible range in adults, in contrast, children had elevated values, suggesting minimal carcinogenic concern. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing milk quality monitoring, particularly in areas potentially exposed to coal mining, to ensure public health and safety.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Toxic metal bioaccumulation and health-risk profiling in buffalo milk: a case study from coal mining areas of Chakwal, Pakistan

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月13日

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  • Aima Iram Batool,
  • Javaria Ikram,
  • Muhammad Fayyaz Ur Rehman,
  • Naima Huma Naveed,
  • Ifrah Zafar,
  • Hakim Bibi

摘要

Coal mining releases numerous contaminants, threatening ecosystems and soil communities. Metals enter water and soil, accumulate in plants, and pass to livestock through grazing. A fraction of metals is excreted into milk, making it a potential vector for human exposure to hazardous metals. Present research was conducted in the coal mining areas of Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan, to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals in raw buffalo milk and to determine the possible health risks to human consumers. Milk samples obtained from buffaloes of different age groups were analyzed for heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn), using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Health hazard indicators, including Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Lifetime Cancer Risk (CR), were calculated. The results revealed varying levels of contamination, with Pb significantly higher in Minhala than Choa (0.35 ± 0.004 vs. 0.32 ± 0.01 mg/L; p < 0.05) and Cu markedly elevated in Choa Saidan Shah (0.19 ± 0.012 vs. 0.10 ± 0.004 mg/L; p < 0.001). Age-wise analysis showed significantly higher Cd levels in buffaloes ≥ 6 years compared to younger groups (0.06 ± 0.005 mg/L; p < 0.01), while Fe was the highest in younger animals (1.63 ± 0.06 vs. 0.66 ± 0.11 mg/L; p < 0.001). Moreover, a few heavy metals exceeded recommended safety thresholds. The THQ and HI values for all metals were below 1 for adults, whereas for children, they often exceeded safe limits, indicating a potential non-carcinogenic risk. Similarly, the CR values for Cd, Pb, and Cr were all within the permissible range in adults, in contrast, children had elevated values, suggesting minimal carcinogenic concern. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing milk quality monitoring, particularly in areas potentially exposed to coal mining, to ensure public health and safety.

Graphical abstract