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Located on the north-western border of the Inle lake basin, the Khaung Daing hot spring outflows at ca. 70°C. Temperature at depth, calculated with chemical geothermometers is probably less than 150°C, therefore classifying it as a medium-low enthalpy geothermal resource. Geochemical and isotopic results also demonstrate that the hot spring is fed by local groundwater, equilibrated with the carbonate rocks but without isotopic exchange with the matrix. Trace elements, particularly As (119 µg/L), display high concentrations, raising some concern about potential environmental and health effects.

Summary Background. Many human milk benefits have been well documented; nevertheless the newborn potential risk to the xenobiotic exposition may be relevant and it requires a biological monitoring in general prevention. Concerning this problem, attention should be paid to mycotoxins and heavy metals. Aim of the study. Assessing the presence of the xenobiotics aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, lead and cadmium in human milk, defining their level of contamination and evaluate the potential risk for the newborn derived from this xenobiotic ingestion. Methods. A study has been carried out on lactating women randomly selected in seven hospitals in Lombardy (Northern Italy). Two hundred and forty–seven puerparae were recruited; 231 women participated in the study. Women’s milk samples on the third or fourth day after delivery were tested to determine aflatoxins and ochratoxin A levels. Lead and cadmium were determined in 143 women because supplemental milk could be taken only from these women. Results. Aflatoxin B1 (11.4 ng/l) and aflatoxin M1 (194 ng/l) were found only in one sample,while ochratoxin A was detected in 198 samples (85.7 %) at an average value of 6.01 ± 8.31 ng/l. A total of 75.7% of samples were positive for lead; the cadmium situation was better with 87.4% of the sample with values below detection limits (2 µg/l). A high percentage of babies (71 %) are exposed to mycotoxin levels on day 6 greater than the TDI value of 0.2 ng/kg b.w. Lead and cadmium presence in human milk presented risk respectively for 8% and 0.7% of newborns on the fourth day; 9.5% and 1.4% on the sixth day. Conclusions. The study points out that mycotoxins and lead are present in maternal milk, and the data confirm the need to continue biological monitoring in general prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]