[Contamination of human milk with nitrates and nitrites]

Human milk nitrates and nitrites were assayed colorimetrically. Colostrum samples were collected on the 3rd postpartum day from 59 women inhabiting Puławy region and being potentially exposed to nitrogen compounds emitted from the industrial sources. Thirty five Lublin inhabitants serving as a control group were matched in age, parity and duration of pregnancy. Geometric mean value of nitrates and nitrites concentration in the human milk being 2.83 mg/L and 0.46 mg/L, respectively were higher in the examined group than those in the control group /2.76 mg/L and 0.32 mg/L/ but difference was statistically insignificant. Ratio of nitrates and nitrites in the examined samples was 7.38 on the average and the concentration of those compounds was related statistically significantly /p less than 0.001/. The average daily intake of nitrates and nitrites by the breast-fed neonates was 0.12 mg/kg body weight and 0.02 mg/kg body weight, respectively. These values did not exceed corresponding ADI recommended by the Joint Expert Committee of FAO/WHO in none case. Significantly positive correlation of examined mothers' age and parity with nitrates content in their colostrum was seen. In view of the obtained results is may be assumed that the examined colostrum samples contain low amounts of both nitrates and nitrites.