This study aims to evaluate the toxic metal and trace element concentrations in breast milk obtained from new-born nursing mothers in rural Giresun province, located on the coast of the Black Sea.

Milk samples were randomly collected once from early lactation of 50 nursing mothers. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to analyse the concentrations of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in the breast milk. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to evaluate the distribution of data. The Pearson-J correlation was used for normally distributed elements, and Spearman correlation analysis was used for others.

The mean amounts of elements were 3.36 µg kg−1 of Cr, 9.26 µg kg−1 of Mn, 797 µg kg−1 of Fe, 1.99 µg kg−1 of Ni, 5.92 µg kg−1 of Cu, 379 µg kg−1 of Zn and 2.23 µg kg−1 of Pb. Co, As, Mo and Cd concentrations were below the detection limit. A highly significant correlation was found between iron and Nickel in breast milk.

Our findings were evaluated in comparison with the WHO data, and whether they were in accordance with the recommended Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) values for 0–6-months-old infants was calculated. Pb levels were similar to those of WHO, while As and Cd were below the measurable limit. Fe, Mn, and Cr concentrations were higher than WHO data, while Co, Ni, Cu and Zn were lower. This research is the first study conducted in this region.

Breast milk

Toxic metals

Trace elements

Giresun province

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