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International Journal of Environment Science and Technology
Center for Environment and Energy Research and Studies (CEERS)
ISSN: 1735-1472 EISSN: 1735-1472
Vol. 6, No. 4, 2009, pp. 671-676
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Bioline Code: st09074
Full paper language: English
Document type: Note
Document available free of charge
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International Journal of Environment Science and Technology, Vol. 6, No. 4, 2009, pp. 671-676
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Determination of cadmium and lead in human milk
Rahimi, E.; Hashemi, M. & Baghbadorani, Z. Torki
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine cadmium and lead concentrations in the breast milk of
healthy lactating women who were living in Zarrinshahr, an industrial area of Iran and to investigate the effect of
mother’s age, parity and smoking habits in families living in the vicinity of areas contaminated with heavy metals.
Cadmium and lead concentrations were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry in 44 milk
samples from healthy lactating women collected on first to sixth postpartum week. Accuracy of the analysis was
checked by various methods including the use of reference material. The mean ± standard deviation of cadmium and
lead concentrations in human milk were 2.44 ± 1.47 μg/L (range 0.62 - 6.32 μg/L) and 10.39 ± 4.72 μg/L (range 3.18-
24.67 μg/L), respectively. There was a positive correlation between the concentrations of lead in milk samples and
mother’s age and parity (P < 0.05). Also the concentration of cadmium in breast milk significantly increased (P < 0.05)
in mothers who were actively and/or passively exposed to smoking. The results of this study showed that lead and
cadmium concentrations in milk samples from lactating women in Zarrinshahr were high. This can be a major public
health hazard for the inhabitants living in this industrial region of Iran.
Keywords
Breast milk; Heavy metals; Industrial area; Pollution; Toxic trace elements
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