Concentration of mercury levels in saliva, milk and hair of nursing mothers in southeastern Iran

This research on lactating mothers in the city of Chabahar. In this descriptive-analytical and questionnaire study, a random sample of 80 mothers were selected to examine mercury levels in their hair, milk and saliva. There was a significant correlation between mercury levels in mothers' saliva and hair, but only a weak correlation was found between mercury levels in milk and hair, and in milk and saliva. The number of children and length of mother's pregnancy were associated with the amount of mercury in mothers' milk. The number of teeth filled with amalgam of mothers, consumption of fish and marine products, consumption of fruit, and weight of the infant at birth were also associated with the amount of mercury in breast milk. Chewing gum, fish consumption, infant's birth weight, weight, and length of pregnancy were among the factors associated with the amount of mercury in mothers' saliva. The results of this study showed that although the amount of mercury in women's hair, milk and saliva is lower than the standards established by WHO and USEPA, it should be kept in mind that any amount of mercury can be harmful and there is no beneficial effect of mercury.