Avaliação da contaminação do leite materno por metais na região das missões do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

The incidence of toxic metals in breast milk is a global public health concern, as breastfeeding is the main source of nutrition for newborns and breast milk is rich in essential nutrients. When this milk is contaminated, breastfeeding can be one of the main means of transferring these substances to the newborn. Breast milk is essential for a child's healthy development, however the presence of toxic metals can compromise the health of both mother and child, resulting in adverse effects. This study analyzed breast milk samples collected in the Missões Region, in Rio Grande do Sul, in order to verify the incidence of metals. Both toxic metals and trace elements were quantified, when they were above the method's quantification limits. The presence of metals in breast milk was related to maternal exposure factors. 90 samples from mothers in rural and urban areas were analyzed, from April to July 2022, collected at home with a manual pump and stored in a 50 mL Falcon tube. 18 elements were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The project was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul. The main results were the incidence of toxic metals, even if small quantities in most samples, and the relationship between metal detection and characteristics was not significant. This study was pioneering in the study region and highlighted the need to monitor the exposure of these mothers and children to toxic metals and environmental pollutants.