The distribution of selenium levels in Saudi dairy farms: a preliminary report from Al-Kharj.

A survey was undertaken within four dairy farms in Al-Kharj area, Saudi Arabia, to measure the selenium (Se) content in the soil, alfalfa, and water samples. Selenium was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry. Selenium content in the studied soil samples was low, and, in some farms, the Se content of alfalfa approached that in the low-Se zone in China. This may be reflected in the dietary Se-intake level of the Saudi population with an increased risk for developing Se deficiency-associated diseases. We suggest that extensive surveys of the Se status should be carried out in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Se supplementation of the soil may be advisable.

Survey of trace elements in household and bottled drinking water samples collected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Total dissolved beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) were measured in the drinking water of 101 households and 21 samples of retail bottled waters purchased in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to ascertain the water quality for human consumption. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICP) was used for analysis. First-draw Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn concentrations decreased significantly after 10 min of flushing in the morning. Cd, Fe, Hg, Ni and Zn in some cases exceeded the guideline limits recommended by the EEC and WHO.

Selenium levels in infant milk formula.

Twenty-four brands of commercial infant milk formula were collected and analysed for selenium by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry with the hydride t-system after an acid digestion procedure. The mean selenium concentration was 49.0 +/- 11.55 micrograms l-1, with a range from 26-68 micrograms l-1, resulting in an adequate daily selenium intake for infants aged from zero to six months consuming 0.75 l milk daily as set by the US National Research Council in 1989.

Mercury content in skin-lightening creams and potential hazards to the health of Saudi Women.

It seems evident from a wealth of scientific research that mercury is toxic. Because of the nature of the Saudi markets, different brands of skin-lightening creams are widely available. In this study, 38 skin-lightening cream samples were collected and analyzed for mercury by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry after an acid digestion procedure. About 45% of the tested skin-lightening cream samples contained mercury at levels well above the FDA's acceptable limit of 1 ppm. These findings are alarming and have wide legal and educational implications for Saudi Arabia in particular and developing countries in general. Further investigation for possible adverse health effects is also needed.

Selenium levels in breast milk and cow's milk: a preliminary report from Saudi Arabia.

We measured the selenium in 117 milk samples by means of inductively coupled plasma spectrometry with the hydride t-system. The samples were collected from healthy lactating mothers living in the Al-Kharj area in Saudi Arabia and from seven brands of Saudi fresh cow's milk. The concentration of selenium in breast milk significantly decreases toward the end of lactation. Our results also showed that the selenium concentration in breast milk is also influenced by the number of breast feedings per day. Further studies are needed to evaluate the selenium status in Saudi infants. The selenium concentration in local cow's milk samples was significantly higher than in the breast milk samples.