Accurate Determination of Lead in Dairy Products by Graphite Furnace Atomic

Milk is one of the basic food groups in the human diet, both in its original form and as various dairy products. The Chinese contaminated baby formula scandal in 2008 has increased public awareness of contamination possibilities, and has lead to tighter supervision of dairy products as China is faced with demands – both from home and abroad – to improve its food safety record. It is well-known that lead (Pb) is toxic and causes damage to the nervous system; it has a particularly detrimental effect on young children1 and it has become a cause of major concern since the 1970s. As per World Health Organization (WHO) standards, the permissible limit of lead in drinking water is 10 μg/kg (parts per billion, ppb). Following an in-depth review of the toxicological literature, the Chinese guideline for maximum levels of lead content is set at 20 μg/kg (ppb wet weight) in infant formula (use of milk as a raw material measured by fluid milk diluted from powder, referring to the product ready-to-use) and at 50 μg/kg (ppb) in fresh milk, respectively.2