Levels of selected essential and toxic elements in the foodstuffs of Islamabad as analyzed by DPASV

Typical dietary components such as vegetables, wheat flour, milk, chicken and drinking water samples have been analyzed for the quantification of essential trace elements like Zn and Cu and potentially toxic trace elements like Pb and Cd. The sensitivity, selectivity and cost effectiveness of Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetric method at Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode has been evaluated and used for the analysis. A database covering the adequacy and safety of trace elements through common food articles was first contrived for the Islamabad region. This was followed by assessment of the mobility rate of the heavy metals in the soil, plant system for evaluation of the environmental impact. The method used was also validated using appropriate certified reference materials.