Analysis of lead and cadmium in human milk in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

The cadmium and lead concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in forty eight breast milk samples collected between January to March 2007 from healthy lactating women who were engaged in commercial activities in Accra and Tema for at least five years. The mean cadmium concentrations in human milk were 0.0246±0.0116 µg/L (range 0.0085- 0.0500µg/L) and 0.0329 ±0.1263 µg/L (range 0.0122-0.0644µg/L) in Accra and Tema respectively while the mean for lead levels was 2.476 ± 1.097 µg/L (range 0.0456 - 5.224µg/L) and 3.367 ±1.131 µg/L (range1.375 -5.890µg/L) in Accra and Tema respectively. Averagely, levels of the metal observed were higher in Tema than in Accra. There was a positive significant correlation between lead and cadmium levels in mothers' breast milk samples in both metropolis (P < 0.05). Also, there was a significant increase in the levels of both metals in breast milk of women passively exposed to smoking compared to non-exposed ones (p< 0.05. None of the women was exposed occupationally