Relationship between heavy metals and alpha emission rates in breast milk and blood of women

BACKGROUND: The current study determines the relationship between heavy metals and alpha particles emission rates in milk and blood of lactating women in Diwanyah, Iraq. METHODS: Heavy metals and alpha particle emission rates have been measured using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and a Nuclear Track Detector. RESULTS: The results show that Pb, Cd, and Cu in milk are 0.2239 ± 0.0007 ppm, 0.0156 ± 0.0001 ppm, and 0.1811 ± 0.0006 ppm, respectively. Pb, Cd, and Cu in the blood were 0.0898 ± 0.0008 ppm, 0.0432 ± 0.0010 ppm, and 0.1729 ± 0.0004 ppm, respectively. The highest alpha particle emission rate was found to be in age interval from 23 y to 28 y in milk, while the highest alpha particle emission rate was found to be in the age interval from 35 y to 40 y CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that no statistical significance between Pb, Cd, Cu and Eα in milk and blood at level 0.01. The following order of bioavailability was found with heavy metals Cu < Pb < Cd.