铅（Pb）和汞（Hg）是神经发育毒物，对认知和行为健康构成风险。鉴于儿童早期对这些金属的脆弱性，了解婴儿期暴露的来源和途径对公共卫生至关重要.在断奶过程中,婴儿可能会通过他们食用的婴儿食品接触金属。我们旨在通过分析157名6岁韩国婴儿食用的288个样本来评估自制断奶食品中的金属暴露，9-，12-，15-,24-27个月。在65%的样品中检测到Pb,水平高达169纳克/克。值得注意的是,58%超过了10ng/g的最高水平(ML)，中值浓度为14.7ng/g鲜重。在88%的样品中发现了总汞，中值浓度为4.56ng/g鲜重。估计铅和汞的日摄入量中位数为0.29和0.09μg/kg/d，分别。考虑到铅的基准剂量（EFSA提供的0.5μg/kg/d），据估计，所有年龄组中有94％（暴露幅度<10）与自制婴儿食品消费有关。对于Hg，与汞的临时耐受每周摄入量（WHO为4μg/kg/周）相比，只有6％的风险商超过1。这项研究标志着韩国婴儿通过自制婴儿食品每日铅和汞摄入量的首次直接评估。我们的发现强调了迫切需要提高对通过自制婴儿食品接触金属的认识。
Lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are neurodevelopmental toxicants that pose risks to cognitive and behavioral health. Given early childhood\'s vulnerability to these metals, understanding their sources and pathways of exposure during infancy is crucial for public health. During the weaning process, infants may be exposed to metals through the baby food they consume. We aimed to assess metal exposure through homemade weaning foods by analyzing 288 samples consumed by 157 Korean infants aged 6-, 9-, 12-, 15-, and 24-27 months. Pb was detected in 65 % of samples, with levels reaching up to 169 ng/g. Notably, 58 % exceeded the Maximum Level (ML) of 10 ng/g, with a median concentration of 14.7 ng/g fresh weight. Total Hg was found in 88 % of samples, with a median concentration of 4.56 ng/g fresh weight. Estimated median daily intakes of Pb and Hg were 0.29 and 0.09 μg/kg/d, respectively. Considering a benchmark dose for Pb (0.5 μg/kg/d by EFSA), 94 % (the margin of exposure <10) of all age groups was estimated to have a potential health concern associated with homemade baby food consumption. For Hg, only 6 % exceeded a hazard quotients of 1 compared to a provisional tolerable weekly intake for Hg (4 μg/kg/week by WHO). This
study marks the first direct assessment of daily Pb and Hg intake through homemade baby food among Korean infants. Our findings underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness regarding metal exposure through homemade baby food.
