Heavy Metals and Trace Elements in Human Breast Milk from Industrial/Mining and Agricultural Zones of Southeastern Spain

Abstract

Human breast milk is the most complete foodstuff for infants but can also be a potential source of exposure to toxic chemicals. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of metal pollution in the breast milk of women living in agricultural and industrial/mining areas of the Region of Murcia (Spain) that are well known for their cases of environmental pollution. Human milk samples were collected from 50 mothers and inorganic contaminants were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean or maximum concentrations of the different inorganic elements analyzed in breast milk, with the exception of manganese, exceeded the maximum limits established by the WHO and could constitute a high risk for pregnant mothers and their children. The breast milk of women living in the industrial/mining zone presented the highest levels of aluminum, zinc, arsenic, lead, mercury and nickel. On the contrary, the highest concentrations of manganese, chromium and iron were determined in the milk of women living in the agricultural zone. These results suggested and confirmed different profiles of environmental contamination of these areas.

Passive exposure to electronic cigarette aerosol in pregnancy: A case study of a family

“…Tobacco-specific carcinogens also can be transferred to milk, as shown in animal models (LaVoie et al, 1987;Zanieri et al, 2007), but we did not find nitrosamines and other toxicants in our sample, and they were not detected in maternal samples, either. 1,2-PD was not detected in breast milk, and we found lower levels of metals in breast milk when compared with other studies of recent mothers from the general population (non-users of e-cigarettes or conventional cigarettes) (Freire et al, 2022;Szukalska et al, 2021), with the exception of copper and zinc, which were present in higher concentrations than in a Spanish population (Motas et al, 2021).…”

Intra- and Inter-Day Element Variability in Human Breast Milk: Pilot Study

“…By contrast, since Fe deficiency in infants is not associated with Cd levels in the blood [ 39 ], Fe may be secreted with Cd, but not readily absorbed if iron is in sufficient supply. Levels of Cd in breast milk were lower in mothers with older infants, confirming the theorized passage of Cd from the mother to the child, especially during the early lactation period [ 40 ]. Thus, health risks for younger infants should be considered.…”

Mineral Content (Essential and Toxic Elements) of Squid Flesh Is Affected by Maceration with Sodium Salts and Vacuum-Cooking

“…In the present study, macerated squid was cooked at a mild temperature (65 °C), which moderated juice loss. Concentrated or not, the levels of Cd, Hg and Pb determined for the ready-to-eat product were well below the maximum levels for Cd (1 mg/kg) and Pb (0.3 mg/kg) authorized in cephalopods flesh and for Hg (0.3 mg/kg) authorized in fishery products [ 26 ]. As content was also below the maximum limits permitted for fish and shellfish in Australia (1–2 mg/kg) [ 44 ].…”

“…The quantification limits (LoQ) were: 0.01 g/100 g (Na, K, Mg and Ca); 1 mg/kg (Al, Fe and Si) and 0.01 mg/kg (rest of minerals). These LoQ were considered suitable for studying mineral diffusion (levels of up to 0.9 g/100 g) and toxic trace metals (authorized levels of up to 1 mg/kg) in squid flesh [ 26 ]. All mineral determinations had suitable values of linearity (r 2 ≥ 0.99), repeatability (± 10%) and recovery percentages ranging from 94.6 to 108.9%.…”