Determination of Trace Metals in Locally Bread Samples Collected From Bakeries in Basra City Rana Dawood Al-Kamil

Locally bread samples (flat bread and stone bread) were collected from Basra city and analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer for four potentially hazardous heavy metals, Lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) ,iron (Fe) and cadmium ( Cd). The mean concentrations of Pb levels in flat bread and stone breads were(0.0051 mg kg^-1) and(0.005 mg kg^-1)dry weight, respectively. Also, the mean concentrations of Zn levels at these breads were (4.6 mg kg^-1) and (2.96 mg kg^-1) dry weight, respectively. while for Fe were (2.82 mg kg^-1)and (2.26 mg kg^-1) dry weight, respectively, Cd was not detected in all samples. The high levels of daily intake of Pb, Cd , Fe and Zn may cause public health problems, Monitoring heavy metals is imperative during wheat production, storage, mill flour and baking bread for reduction of public health concerns.