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Biological monitoring of cadmium exposure in itai-itai disease epidemiology

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Summary

Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in blood and urine were significantly higher in itai-itai disease patients, suspected patients and inhabitants in Cd-polluted areas in Japan. Urinary Cd concentrations were mainly related to the body burden of Cd and did not decrease for several years following cessation of Cd exposure. There was a close association between urinary Cd excretion and the occurrence of ß2 microglobulinuria (ß2- mg-uria). Probit regression analysis between urinary Cd excretion and, ß2-mg-uria indicated that the threshold value may be set around 4 μg/g creatinine (cr.). Studies on inhabitants in Cd-polluted areas showed that urinary, ß2-mg levels of more than 1000 μg/l or 1000 μg/g cr. were irreversible, while increased urinary excretion of ß2-mg was associated with increased mortality. At present, ß2-mg in urine is not a suitable indicator for monitoring renal tubular dysfunction in the general population since the significance of slightly increased excretion of urinary ß2-mg has yet to be clarified.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hygiene, Chiba University School of Medicine, 260, Chiba, Japan

    Koji Nogawa & Teruhiko Kido

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  1. Koji Nogawa
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  2. Teruhiko Kido
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Nogawa, K., Kido, T. Biological monitoring of cadmium exposure in itai-itai disease epidemiology. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 65 (Suppl 1), S43–S46 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381306

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