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The aluminium (Al) content of soft drinks from Al cans has been measured during 12 months of storage, by the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) method. The results show that the Al content in all soft drinks increased during the whole storage time. This increase was a result of dissolution of Al from the can wall due to the presence of aggressive ingredients in the soft drinks, mainly acids. The Al content rose with increasing acid concentration and decreasing pH value of the soft drinks. The evaluated possible daily intake of Al (0.8 mg) through consumption of these drinks was practically negligible in relation to total daily dietary Al intake, as well as to tolerable daily intake. Thus, soft drinks from Al cans are an insignificant source of dietary Al intake and it appears that the Al intake from this source should not be a cause for concern in regard to Al toxicity for the human body.

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Selenium levels in human milk in the winter period ranged from 5.3 micrograms/l to 23.8 micrograms/l, the mean value being 11.0 micrograms/l. The nursing women were divided into several groups according to the results of a questionnaire, i.e. according to their social status (refugees or otherwise), number of deliveries, post partum days, the weight they had gained during pregnancy, their age and smoking habits. The mean levels of selenium for each group are presented. Selenium was determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry.