Toxic Metals (Pb and Cd) and Their Respective Antagonists (Ca and Zn) in Infant Formulas and Milk Marketed in Brasilia, Brazil

Abstract

In non-ideal scenarios involving partial or non-breastfeeding, cow’s milk-based dairy products are mainstream in infant feeding. Therefore, it is important to study the concentrations of potentially neurotoxic contaminants (Pb and Cd) and their respective counteracting elements (Ca and Zn) in infant dairy products. Fifty-five brands of infant formulas and milk sold in Brasilia, Brazil were analyzed. The dairy products came from areas in the central-west (26%), southeast (29%) and south of Brazil (36%) extending as far as Argentina (7%) and the Netherlands (2%). For toxic Pb and Cd, median concentrations in powdered samples were 0.109 mg/kg and 0.033 mg/kg, respectively; in fluid samples median Pb concentration was 0.084 mg/kg, but median Cd concentration was below the limit of detection and overall values were below reference safety levels. However, 62% of these samples presented higher Pb concentration values than those established by FAO/WHO. Although the inverse correlation between Cd and Zn (Spearman r = −0.116; P = 0.590) was not statistically significant, the positive correlation between Ca and Pb was (Spearman r = 0.619; P < 0.0001). Additionally, there was a significant correlation between Pb and Cd. Furthermore, the study also revealed that provision of the essential trace element Zn in infant formulas can provide adequate amounts of the recommended daily requirements. Infant formulas and milk sold for consumption by infants and children can be an efficient tool to monitor neurotoxic metal risk exposure among young children.

Study on the Levels of Some Essential and Non-essential Metals in Four Different Varieties of Barley (Hordeum Vulgare l.), Grown at the Farm Site in Dale and Aletawondo Woredas, in Sidamo Zone, Ethiopia

“…Limits of quantization are matrix, method, and analyte specific. The limits of quantification (LOQ) calculated from the expressions LOQ = 10Sb/b, where Sb is the standard deviation of the blank and b is the slope of the analytical curve [45,46,47,48]. 013 If the level of analyte in the sample was below the determined MDL or exceeds 10 times the MDL of the analyte in reagent water, the value for the MDL will not be reported.…”

Low-Level Exposure to Lead as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor

“…Long-term lead exposure, measured by body lead store, was identified as a potential risk of intracranial carotid atherosclerosis in human (Lee et al, 2009). Some of the documented pro-atherosclerotic changes include: changes in lipid metabolism (Gatagonova, 1994;Kasperczyk et al, 2005a), endothelial dysfunctions (Ding et al, 1998;Vaziri et al, 2001), disturbances in essential metals' homeostasis (De Castro et al, 2010;Othman and Missiry, 1998;Wang et al, 2011), as well as an increase in free radicals' generation (Stohs and Bagchi 1995;Vaziri et al 2001), a procoagulant state (Fujiwara et al, 2000;Kaji et al, 1991) and an inflammatory response (Heo et al, 1998) (Fig. 2).…”

Low-Level Toxic Metal Exposure in Healthy Weaning-Age Infants: Association with Growth, Dietary Intake, and Iron Deficiency

“…Formula and its mixing water have also been reported as sources of toxic metal exposure [30,31]. The exposure pattern to toxic metals through the intake of contaminated solid foods may be similar to that of adults living in the same area.…”

“…All four toxic metals have been reported to be transmitted to babies by breastfeeding, although the degree of excretion of toxic metals in breastmilk seems different for different toxic metals [ 29 ]. Formula and its mixing water have also been reported as sources of toxic metal exposure [ 30 , 31 ]. The exposure pattern to toxic metals through the intake of contaminated solid foods may be similar to that of adults living in the same area.…”