Determination of heavy metal contents in human colostrum samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Determination of lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, manganese and copper levels in colostrum samples (n = 30), collected from middle-class mothers, was carried out by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometer (ETAAS) with Zeeman effect background correction using a tungsten-palladium-citric acid chemical modifier mixture. A wet-ashing procedure was applied to dissolve the samples and to remove the fat. The graphite furnace temperature programme for analytes determined by ETAAS was studied, and the optimum pyrolysis temperatures of Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn and Cu were determined in the presence of the modifier mixture. Detection limits of Pb, Cd, Cu, Mn and Cr were determined using a modifier mixture solution. Zinc and iron levels were determined by Zeeman flame atomic absorption spectrometer (F-AAS). Heavy metal levels (mean values) found in colostrum samples were 14.6 mug/l of Pb, 2.8 mug/l of Cd, 27.8 mug/l of Ni, 8.6 mug/l of Cr, 43.2 mug/l of Mn, 278 mug/l of Cu, 12.9 mg/l of Zu, and 3.5 mg/l of Fe, These metal levels were compared with results from other studies in different countries.