ArticleScientific reports2026
Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milks.
Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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3 authors.
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Abstract
Cow milk and plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs) are widely consumed beverages, yet both can act as pathways for exposure to environmental contaminants originating from soil, water, and legacy agricultural practices. In this study, we quantified heavy metals (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As)), macro- and micronutrients, and 24 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in cow milk and seven PBMAs (almond, soy, oat, coconut, hemp, rice, and cashew). Twenty-two commercial products were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). PBMAs exhibited higher and more variable concentrations of Cr, As, and Cd than cow milk, with rice and hemp milks showing the highest arsenic and chromium levels, respectively. Lead concentrations were comparable across milk types. Fortified PBMAs showed elevated calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), and magnesium (Mg) relative to cow milk, reflecting formulation-driven rather than intrinsic nutritional differences. All milk categories contained detectable residues of multiple OCPs, including dicofol, mirex, and hexachlorobenzene, highlighting the persistence of legacy pesticides in modern food products. Although concentrations generally remained below regulatory limits, the widespread occurrence of both metals and OCPs underscores the need for continued monitoring and improved transparency for both dairy and plant-based milks.
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