LEAD IN HUMAN MILK FROM MOTHERS IN KANO NIGERIA

Abstract

Milk samples were collected in June, 1999 from 89 volunteer  nursing mothers aged between 18-32 years, prima and multipara living in Kano was determined. The samples were obtained from the first to the 72 week post partum under standardlized conditions.  This was achieved by the lead-catalyzed oxidation of pyrollgallol by potassium persulphate.  Reproducibility was enhanced by employing solvent extraction of the lead in order to minimize interference.  The mean lead level in samples was 1.77± 0.24 µg/ml with a progressive decrease with the duration of breast-feeding.  The established daily lead intake of the breast fed infants in Kano was below the tolerable levels.