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Probabilistic risk assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in breastfed infants in Hamadan metropolis (Iran)
Vahid Ghasemzadeh-Mohammadi1, Masoumeh Moslemi2, Aliasghar Vahidinia3
1Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Insights
Breastfed babies in Hamadan face non-carcinogenic risks from potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Arsenic (As) and Cadmium (Cd) posed the highest risks, particularly in infants aged 0-2 months.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Breast milk is a primary nutrition source for infants.
- Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in breast milk can pose health risks to nursing infants.
- Assessing PTE exposure is crucial for infant health, especially in vulnerable populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the risk of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) exposure in breastfed infants in Hamadan, Iran.
- To determine the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with PTEs through breast milk.
- To identify specific PTEs and infant age groups with elevated risk levels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of breast milk samples from 100 mothers using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS).
- Calculation of Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Total Hazard Quotient (THQ) to assess non-carcinogenic risks.
- Evaluation of carcinogenic risk, particularly for Cadmium (Cd).
Main Results:
- All infants assessed were at risk of non-carcinogenic disorders from PTEs, with higher risk in infants aged 0-2 months.
- Arsenic (As) posed a non-carcinogenic risk to over 5% of infants.
- Cadmium (Cd) presented the highest carcinogenic risk concern, affecting 5% of infants aged 2-4 months.
- Iron (Fe) intake was high initially, possibly due to maternal supplementation, but decreased significantly by 4-6 months.
Conclusions:
- Breastfed infants in Hamadan are exposed to PTEs, necessitating monitoring and potential interventions.
- Arsenic and Cadmium are key PTEs of concern for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, respectively.
- Infants aged 0-2 months are a particularly vulnerable group requiring focused attention regarding PTE exposure from breast milk.
Abstract:
This study assessed the risk of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in breastfed babies in Hamadan (Iran). The breast milk of 100 mothers was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy. According to the results, Pb intake had the lowest HQ among the harmful heavy metals. There was concern about the non-carcinogenic risk of As in more than 5% of the babies. Evaluation of THQ showed that all the babies were at risk of non-carcinogenic disorders developed by PTEs, and a higher concern for babies between 0 and 2 months was observed compared to the other groups. The elevated intake of Fe at early ages was likely due to Fe supplementation by mothers to compensate for the iron loss after delivery. Interestingly, HQ of Fe dropped dramatically in babies between 4 and 6 months. The highest concern about carcinogenicity was related to Cd intake, so only 5% of 2-4-month-old babies were at moderate risk of Cd carcinogenicity. Other heavy metals, including Ni, Cr, and As, showed a similar scenario.
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