Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Many infants rely on the WIC program to provide their main source of sustenance in theform of infant formula. In 2016, about 86% of the eligible infant population participated in this program. Infants in Florida account for about 30% of participation in the Southeast. For this reason, it is necessary to ensure that the formulas offered by this program provide the best opportunity for an optimal health outcome.\nExposure to heavy metals can have detrimental effects on the development of infants and children. Arsenic, lead, and cadmium specifically have been commonly found in certain types of infant formulas. Significant exposures to these types of metals may lead to impaired cognitive function, developmental delays, kidney disease, and many kinds of cancer. The purpose of this study was to estimate exposures to these metals from powder infant formulas offered by the WIC program. A wet digestion method was used to digest the samples, then concentrations were analyzed using ICP-MS. Using the determined concentrations, as well as metal concentrations from the 2018 Tampa City Municipal Water report, exposure estimates dependent on gender and age group were conducted for each formula and metal.\nOverall, arsenic had the highest concentrations in these formulas, followed by lead, then cadmium. Females had higher exposure estimates than males in all situations. Exposure estimates for each metal tended to be higher during the first year of life. The soy-based formulas and formula containing rice starch tended to result in higher exposure estimates for all three metals.
Author: Naya Martin
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3132404362