Arsenic exposure assessment of children living in a lead mining area in Southeastern Brazil.

Environmental contamination by arsenic compounds in the Ribeira River Valley, São Paulo, Brazil has already been observed. Lead mining and refining activities had been carried on since late colonial times and finished recently, at the end of 1995. The source of As in the region is known to be mainly from arsenopirite geological presence in the lead ore.

Lead exposure in an urban community: investigation of risk factors and assessment of the impact of lead abatement measures.

Introduction: A battery recycling plant located in an urbanized area contaminated the environment with lead oxides. The Secretary of Environment of the State of São Paulo demanded an evaluation of lead exposure among the population in the vicinity of the plant.

Objectives: To assess the lead exposure of children, to propose control measures and evaluate the impact of these measures.

Concentrations of Fe, K, Na, Ca, P, Zn and Mg in maternal colostrum and mature milk.

The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of Fe, K, Na, Ca, P, Zn and Mg in colostrum and mature milk (2 months) from nursing mothers, and the correlation between the concentration of these micronutrients and newborn weight, maternal age, gestational age GA, inter-pregnancy interval, and gestational weight gain. Thirty one women donated milk on the 2nd postpartum day and on the 2nd month of lactation. Micronutrients were analysed by atomic emission spectrophotometry.