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. 2023 Apr 7;18(4):e0264658. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264658

Table 2. Concentration of toxic heavy metals in the breast milk of the diabetic group N = 72.

Parameters Arsenic Lead Mercury Cadmium
Below WHO limits n (%) 26 (36.1) 3 (4.2) 23 (31.9) 11 (15.3)
Above WHO limits level n (%) 46 (63.9) 69 (95.8) 49 (68.1) 61 (84.7)
Mean (SD) ng/ml 0.63 (0.36) 13.20 (5.13) 2.98 (1.91) 3.32 (1.86)
Minimum ng/ml 0.0 4.3 0.0 0.0
Maximum ng/ml 1.2 22.4 6.3 6.3
WHO limits ng/ml 0.0 5.0 1.7 1.0

n = frequency, % = percent, SD = standard deviation, ng/ml = nanogram per mililitre