I need to correct a misconception concerning lead.      Lead  readily
transfers into human milk at a rate proportional to maternal blood
levels(milk/plasma ration =3D 1).  One study evaluated lead transfer into
human milk in a population of women with an average blood lead of 45 =B5g/dL
(considered very high).  The average lead level in milk was 2.47 =B5g/dL.
Using these parameters,  the average intake in an infant would be 8.1
=B5g/kg/d.  The daily permissible level by WHO is 5.0 =B5g/kg/d.    Using=
 these
parameters,  mothers contaminated with lead should not breastfeed their
infants.  Permissible levels (CDC)  in USA children have dropped from 25 to
less than 10 =B5g/dL  in the last decade.  Lead poisoning significantly=
 alters
IQ, and mental development, particularly in infants.



Tom Hale, Ph.D.
Texas Tech University
Dept. of  Pediatrics