Lead and Mercury in Breast Milk

Gundacker, Claudia; Pietschnig, B; Wittmann, Karl J.; Lischka, A; Salzer, Hans; Hohenauer, L; Schuster, Ernst

doi:10.1542/peds.110.5.873

Cited by 116 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…As registered for Hg and Pb levels in breast milk (Gundacker et al, 2002), we expected the site of investigation to exert a significant influence on Cd levels. Higher mean numerical levels were registered in Linz (industrial; 0.096 mg/l, n ¼ 40) and Vienna (urban; 0.093 mg/l, n ¼ 45) as compared to Tulln (rural; 0.065 mg/l, n ¼ 39), but this nonsignificant difference (P ¼ 0.494) was related to the different smoking habits: 19% of the study subjects in Linz were smokers, 17% in Vienna and only 12% in Tulln.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Smoking, cereal consumption, and supplementation affect cadmium content in breast milk

Gundacker

Pietschnig²,

Wittmann³

et al. 2006

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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Breast milk might be a source of potentially toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd). The purpose of the present study is to provide data pertaining to the influence of maternal lifestyles on Cd concentrations in breast milk in the Austrian setting. Breast milk was obtained from 124 Austrian women. Each participant provided 10 ml of milk. A second group of eight mothers were recruited to investigate changes in their milk cadmium levels at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks post partum. The study participants filled a questionnaire concerning nutrition, supplementation, and smoking habits. The samples were analyzed using GF-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean Cd content in breast milk was among the lowest in Europe (0.08670.085 mg/l, 95% CI: 0.07-0.10; n ¼ 124). Increased Cd levels in breast milk were found to be significantly associated with frequent cereal consumption and smoking. Smokers had a two-fold higher concentration than did non-smokers (0.15 versus 0.07 mg/l; P ¼ 0.000). In contrast, low Cd levels in breast milk were associated with the intake of supplements containing trace elements or vitamins and trace elements (Po0.05). This protective effect of supplements on Cd levels was only observed in non-smokers. The Cd levels registered in the present investigation were far below critical levels. We conclude that the current maternal Cd levels in Austria signify no risk for the breastfed infant of a healthy mother. Further research will have to focus on the specific effects of supplementation and smoking on Cd concentrations.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Smoking, cereal consumption, and supplementation affect cadmium content in breast milk

Gundacker

Pietschnig²,

Wittmann³

et al. 2006

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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“…Considering the healthy problem of infant, the minerals, especially heavy metals in breast milk have been intensively researched. [3][4][5][6] Some studies monitored microelements or heavy metals in cow's milk around polluting areas. [7][8][9][10] However, the data on minerals in commercial milk are sparse and the comparisons of minerals in cow's milk from different countries are missing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Minerals and Heavy Metals in Cow's Milk from China and Japan

Qin

Wang

et al. 2009

JOURNAL OF HEALTH SCIENCE

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Cow's milk is an important foodstuff and beneficial to human health. In the present study, commercial milks from China and Japan and raw milk from Inner Mongolia of China were collected. The contents of 18 elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Our analysis showed both Chinese and Japanese milks are rich in macroelements, such as calcium, potassium. However, the milk contents of chromium, manganese and zinc, which belong to microelements, were higher in Chinese commercial milks than in Japanese commercial milks. Heavy metals in food pose potential healthy risk. Although lead and cadmium contents in Chinese milk did not exceed the tolerance limits of Chinese National Standards, they were higher than those in Japanese commercial milks. Based on the high contents of some microelements and heavy metals in Chinese milk, we should innovate the technology and improve quality control for milk process and decrease environmental pollution.

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“…In breast milk, the mercury level correlated significantly to maternal blood inorganic mercury (0.29µg/l). Gundacker et al (2002) indicate that the mean concentration of total mercury in human breast milk is 1.59µg/l, which they considered to pose no risk to infants.…”

Section: Exposure During Pregnancy and Breast-feedingmentioning

confidence: 99%