Overview
This 2014 longitudinal study from arsenic-contaminated Bangladesh measured speciated arsenic in breast milk, maternal urine, and infant urine at three time points (1, 6, 9 months postpartum). HPLC-ICP-MS speciation.
Key numbers
Breast milk total arsenic (µg/L) by time point:
| Time | n | Median | Range | 10th–90th pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 29 | 0.5 | 0.5–8.9 | 0.5–2.35 |
| 6 months | 25 | 0.5 | 0.5–2.32 | 0.5–1.52 |
| 9 months | 19 | 0.5 | 0.5–1.68 | 0.5–1.59 |
Many values at the LOD/LOQ of 0.5 µg/L. Breast milk As declined over time post-partum.
Infant urinary arsenic (µg/L) by time point:
| Time | n | Median | 10th–90th pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 29 | 9.2 | 6–45 |
| 6 months | 27 | 16.4 | 6.6–36 |
Infant urinary arsenic speciation (1 month, n=12): AsIII median 0.71; AsV median 1.37; MMA median 0.41; DMA median 3.2 µg/L. DMA predominant.
Maternal urinary arsenic (µg/L): 1-month median 134 µg/L; reflects high groundwater As exposure.
Methods
HPLC-ICP-MS speciation. Prospective longitudinal cohort. LOD/LOQ for breast milk: 0.5 µg/L for total As (many samples at LOD). Small sample size (n=30 enrolled; 25–29 with samples per time point).
Implications
Health: Even with high maternal As exposure (urinary As median 134 µg/L at 1 month), breast milk As was low (median 0.5 µg/L). The barrier effect documented in Fångström 2008 is corroborated. The increasing infant urinary As from 9.2 to 16.4 µg/L between 1 and 6 months likely reflects introduction of As-contaminated weaning foods.
Related evidence
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