Hi Marsha,

The best information on lead exposure is through the NRDC:

http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/chem13.asp

"The elevated presence of lead in human blood samples has been an issue for decades, chiefly because of two products: lead-based gasoline and paint products. Lead is ubiquitous in the environment as a result, and in many areas of the world, a significant level of lead turns up in breast milk (5 to 20 ppb).[7] That said, lead does not concentrate in breast milk because it does not attach to fat; indeed, levels of lead are generally higher in a mother's blood than in her milk.

Several studies have found higher blood lead levels in formula-fed infants than in breast-fed infants.[7] This may be a result of contaminated formula cans or formula prepared using tap water with high lead levels."

"Much of the lead in breast milk does not come from the mothers' exposure during lactation. Instead, it comes from lead stored in the mothers' bones. Because lead mimics the beneficial mineral calcium, it is stored for decades along with calcium in the bones. During pregnancy and lactation, a woman's body extracts calcium from her own bones to provide calcium for her child's bone development. Calcium extraction from bone is greatest during lactation, and as a result, lead stored in the mother's bones also enters the blood and breast milk during pregnancy and lactation, posing an exposure risk to the fetus.[9] Fortunately, sufficient calcium intake during pregnancy and lactation significantly reduces the extraction of lead from the mother's bones. Thus women can significantly reduce their fetus' exposure to lead by getting adequate calcium during pregnancy and lactation, or by taking a calcium supplement."


Ellen Penchuk, IBCLC, RLC

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