P C6. HEAVY METALS DETERMINATION IN FOOD
AND DIFFERENT PACKAGING MATERIALS BY DCP AND ICP AES

M.M. Stoiljković, M.D. Momčilović, J.J. Savović and M.S. Pavlović

VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Department of Physical Chemistry,
P. O. Box 522, 11 001 Belgrade, Serbia

Toxic metals, including heavy metals, in elemental state or as different metal compounds, negatively affect people's health. The term heavy metal refers to any metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or even lethal at low concentrations. Examples of heavy metals include mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb). They typically enter the body via the food chain, ambient air or drinking water. To safeguard the environment, strict regulations have been drawn up, both in Europe and the USA as well as in many other countries around the world. This new regulations specify the maximum amounts of toxic element, notably heavy metals, that can be released into the environment. Consequently, contamination levels need to be monitored.