Levels of toxic and trace metals in the breast milk of lactating mothers in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Olanrewaju Olujimi; Sulaimon Ajakore; Damilola Abuganloye; Toyin Arowolo; Oliver Steiner; Walter Goessler; Taofeek Towolawi

doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.08.001

Levels of toxic and trace metals in the breast milk of lactating mothers in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Toxicol Rep. 2023 Aug 9:11:168-173. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.08.001. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Authors

Olanrewaju Olujimi¹, Sulaimon Ajakore¹, Damilola Abuganloye¹, Toyin Arowolo¹, Oliver Steiner², Walter Goessler², Taofeek Towolawi³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240 Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
² Institute for Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Karl-Franzens University, Universitaesplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria.
³ Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Basic Medical and Health Sciences, Fountain University Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Breast milk is an essential source of nutrients and energy for infants. The study analyzed for the levels of essential, toxic and rare earth elements in the breast milk of lactating mothers within Abeokuta metropolis.

Materials and methods: Thirty-seven (37) breast milk samples were collected with consents of lactating mothers at Ogun State General Hospital in Abeokuta. The samples were digested using standard method and analyzed for essential, toxic and rare earth elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The data were subjected to descriptive analysis.

Results: The results showed higher concentrations of toxic elements than essential elements in the breast milk of lactating mothers, where five toxic metals: Ag, Ti, V, Pb and Ba were observed to be present in 11, 14, 15, 17 and 23 breast milk samples respectively. Two essential (P and S) and two toxic (Cd and Hg (except sample 19)) elements were observed to be present in all the breast milk samples. Rare Earth Elements (except Sr, U and Rb) were below the detection limit of the instrument. Though three breast milk samples (12, 14 and 17) were observed safe, they contained two toxic (Cd and Hg) and a rare earth trace (Rb) element.

Conclusion: It could be concluded that despite the inherent benefits of human breast milk with essential elements to the infants, it can still be a source of toxic and trace earth metals contamination.

Keywords: Allergic reactions; Dysfunction; Human breast milk; ICP-MS; Metal exposure; Pollution.