Levels of Heavy Metals in Cattle and Human Milk Collected at Agbogbloshie, an E-Waste Dumpsite.

Abstract

Background: Milk is the best source of infant nutrition containing the ideal balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats for developing infants and young children providing a range of benefits for growth, development and immunity. Through e-waste recycling activities, significant amounts of toxic substances such as heavy metals are released into the atmosphere, which could contaminate human and cow milk. The issue of toxic chemicals in milk (human and cow milk) raises important issues for public health as it could be deleterious for infant health as main consumers of milk and also due to their high vulnerability and susceptibility which may result in debilitating health conditions. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic and nickel) in cattle and human milk and to compare these levels with the internationally accepted limits (standards). Methods: The study was conducted at the e-waste recycling site at Agbogbloshie. Milk was obtained from both cattle and humans, and analysed for heavy metals concentration using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results: The overall mean concentration of heavy metals in breast milk obtained were as follows: lead (100.08±133.67 μg/l), arsenic (38.96±20.83 μg/l), mercury (135.39±63.71 μg/l) and nickel (66.18±83.35 μg/l). All metals detected in human samples were above the permissible limits. Only lead and mercury were detected in cow milk analysed and their mean concentrations obtained were 11.58 ± 5.22μg/l and 124.38 ± 25.35μg/l respectively. Mercury concentration was above the permissible limit. Conclusion: Mercury levels were high in both human and cow milk samples. Arsenic and nickel levels were undetected in the cow milk samples.