Penetration of heavy metals into breast milk and their impact on infant health - research analysis and literature review
Introduction and Purpose: Breast milk is considered the best food for infants due to its nutritional and protective properties. However, in the era of increasing environmental pollution, there is a problem of heavy metals penetrating breast milk, which may pose a threat to infants' health. The...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/58787 |
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| author | Agnieszka Świdniak Karolina Kopeć Aleksandra Bartoszek Julia Adamiuk Agnieszka Marut Marta Biskup Jagoda Misiuk Adriana Skuba Katarzyna Załuska Sylwia Nykiel |
| author_facet | Agnieszka Świdniak Karolina Kopeć Aleksandra Bartoszek Julia Adamiuk Agnieszka Marut Marta Biskup Jagoda Misiuk Adriana Skuba Katarzyna Załuska Sylwia Nykiel |
| author_sort | Agnieszka Świdniak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction and Purpose:
Breast milk is considered the best food for infants due to its nutritional and protective properties. However, in the era of increasing environmental pollution, there is a problem
of heavy metals penetrating breast milk, which may pose a threat to infants' health. The aim
of the study was to review studies on the presence of heavy metals in mothers' milk, their sources, mechanisms of penetration, and the impact on infants' health.
Materials and Methods:
The work is based on a review of the scientific literature on the content of heavy metals in human milk and their impact on infant development. Publications from peer-reviewed scientific journals, reports from public health institutions and guidelines from organizations such as WHO, EFSA and FDA were used. Data on the levels of lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic in human milk from different regions of the world were analyzed, taking into account environmental, dietary and lifestyle factors.
Results:
Research results clearly indicate a significant impact of environmental factors and lifestyle on the content of heavy metals in breast milk, which emphasizes the need for preventive measures and educating women on how to minimize exposure to these substances.
Conclusion:
The presence of heavy metals in breast milk poses a serious threat to the health
of infants. Therefore, it is necessary to implement preventive measures, such as educating mothers about their diet and limiting their exposure to toxic substances. It is also important
to conduct biomonitoring and develop effective strategies to reduce environmental pollution. The work emphasizes the importance of further research on the mechanisms of heavy metal transfer to breast milk and their long-term effects on infant health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eab75490b4414e6bb3b3a7f13f16aa01 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-eab75490b4414e6bb3b3a7f13f16aa012025-08-20T02:38:38ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-06-014210.12775/QS.2025.42.58787Penetration of heavy metals into breast milk and their impact on infant health - research analysis and literature reviewAgnieszka Świdniak0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4336-188XKarolina Kopeć1https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1257-7865Aleksandra Bartoszek2https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2071-3821Julia Adamiuk3https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5857-7646Agnieszka Marut4https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4884-7854Marta Biskup5https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8760-2930Jagoda Misiuk6https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6227-7155Adriana Skuba7https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1474-8039Katarzyna Załuska8https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3189-5925Sylwia Nykiel9https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6967-8927Uniwersytet RzeszowskiUniwersytet RzeszowskiUniwersytet RzeszowskiUniwersytet RzeszowskiUniwersytet RzeszowskiUniwersytet RzeszowskiUniwersytet RzeszowskiUniwersytet RzeszowskiUniwersytet RzeszowskiUniwersytet RzeszowskiIntroduction and Purpose: Breast milk is considered the best food for infants due to its nutritional and protective properties. However, in the era of increasing environmental pollution, there is a problem of heavy metals penetrating breast milk, which may pose a threat to infants' health. The aim of the study was to review studies on the presence of heavy metals in mothers' milk, their sources, mechanisms of penetration, and the impact on infants' health. Materials and Methods: The work is based on a review of the scientific literature on the content of heavy metals in human milk and their impact on infant development. Publications from peer-reviewed scientific journals, reports from public health institutions and guidelines from organizations such as WHO, EFSA and FDA were used. Data on the levels of lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic in human milk from different regions of the world were analyzed, taking into account environmental, dietary and lifestyle factors. Results: Research results clearly indicate a significant impact of environmental factors and lifestyle on the content of heavy metals in breast milk, which emphasizes the need for preventive measures and educating women on how to minimize exposure to these substances. Conclusion: The presence of heavy metals in breast milk poses a serious threat to the health of infants. Therefore, it is necessary to implement preventive measures, such as educating mothers about their diet and limiting their exposure to toxic substances. It is also important to conduct biomonitoring and develop effective strategies to reduce environmental pollution. The work emphasizes the importance of further research on the mechanisms of heavy metal transfer to breast milk and their long-term effects on infant health.https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/58787toxicityheavy metalsbreastfeedingeffects of exposure to heavy elementstransfer of substances into milklactation |
| spellingShingle | Agnieszka Świdniak Karolina Kopeć Aleksandra Bartoszek Julia Adamiuk Agnieszka Marut Marta Biskup Jagoda Misiuk Adriana Skuba Katarzyna Załuska Sylwia Nykiel Penetration of heavy metals into breast milk and their impact on infant health - research analysis and literature review Quality in Sport toxicity heavy metals breastfeeding effects of exposure to heavy elements transfer of substances into milk lactation |
| title | Penetration of heavy metals into breast milk and their impact on infant health - research analysis and literature review |
| title_full | Penetration of heavy metals into breast milk and their impact on infant health - research analysis and literature review |
| title_fullStr | Penetration of heavy metals into breast milk and their impact on infant health - research analysis and literature review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Penetration of heavy metals into breast milk and their impact on infant health - research analysis and literature review |
| title_short | Penetration of heavy metals into breast milk and their impact on infant health - research analysis and literature review |
| title_sort | penetration of heavy metals into breast milk and their impact on infant health research analysis and literature review |
| topic | toxicity heavy metals breastfeeding effects of exposure to heavy elements transfer of substances into milk lactation |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/58787 |
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