In which regions is breast-feeding safer from the impact of toxic elements from the environment?

Abstract

Owing to its unique nutritional and immunological characteristics, breast milk is the most important food source for infants. But, children are at greater risk for exposure to environmental toxicants from breast milk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental pollution on essential and toxic element contents of breast milk and determine the risky locations in our population. This study was conducted on women who were breastfeeding (n=90). Milk samples were collected at three locations in Marmara region, Turkey: highly industrialized region highly affected by pollution, urbanized region moderately and rural area that is affected little. Breast milk samples (5 mL) were collected at approximately one month postpartum (mature milk). The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in milk samples were compared to the milk samples coming from different locations. Lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, iron and manganese levels in the breast milk are highest and engrossing especially in rural areas compared to the other regions but cobalt, copper, zinc levels are highest in highly industrial areas. The levels of essential and toxic elements in breast milk can vary in different regions. The levels presented in our study are above some countries' data albeit not at toxic levels. Because of global effects, environmental pollution is not the problem for industrializing regions only. Rural area also may not be safe for breastfeed babies.

Determination of Nickel Concentration in the Breast Milk of Lactating Mothers Living In Hilla City, Babylon, Iraq

“…Living near industrial area has been associated with the contamination of breast milk with heavy metal, this association was presented in table (4), living near industrial areas was associated significantly (p≤0.05) with high concentrations of Ni. Table (5) shows that tap water and river water consumption was significantly associated with high levels of this heavy metal. Table (6) reveals the association of smoking with heavy metal concentration, the results show that smoking mothers have ahigh concentration of (Ni) in their milk at significant level (p≤0.05).…”

Determination of lead concentration in breast milk and blood of lactanting women in an interior city of Brasil

“…Children are more sensitive to lead exposure than adults due to their low weight (with an increased proportion of ingested dose/weight unit), the rapid growth and development of their nervous system, and the easier intestinal absorption and motor activity which facilitates the contact of objects with the mouth (5)(6)(7). Exposure to even low concentrations of lead can be potentially harmful to the organism mainly by reaching the liver, kidneys, blood, teeth, heart and central nervous system, compromising the psychological and behavioral functions (8,9).…”

Researching chemicals in human milk can be conducted without discouraging breastfeeding

“…Cinar et al [1] contribute to our knowledge on infant exposures to environmental chemicals in breast milk. However, the messages implicit both in the title and in the paper itself are unnecessarily alarming and are likely to be interpreted by mothers and health professionals as indicating that breast feeding is generally unsafe in certain regions of Turkey.…”

“…thus, the World Health Organization recommends six months of exclusive breastfeeding. Cinar et al [1] recognized that human milk provides all of the vitamins and essential minerals and trace elements (micronutrients) that are required for the normal development of infants as well as many brain-protective substances. they do not describe the exposures associated with formula-feeding in the regions under study and so the reader has no basis for understanding whether infant exposures to metals would be higher or lower based on the choice of formula over breastfeeding.…”

“…Formula-feeding should never be implied (implicitly or explicitly) as a means to attenuate maternal-infant exposure to environmental chemicals, especially without data to support such a message (5). The otherwise interesting paper of Cinar et al [1] gives the false impression that milk of Turkish mothers is unsafe and that if the infant is not breastfed, chemical exposures will not occur.…”