Blood and Urinary Cadmium Concentration of Residents Around Abandoned Metal Mines in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do

Abstract

PP-30-067 Background/Aims: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the blood and urinary cadmium concentration levels between residents around the abandoned metal mines and the control group. Methods: Blood and urinary cadmium concentration levels were analyzed through investigations of the dietary habits and dietary water of subjects who live near abandoned metal mines (exposure group) (n = 190) as compared to those who live in designated control areas (control group) (n = 256). Results: The blood cadmium (1.93 μg/L) and urinary cadmium concentrations 2.41 μg/g cr) of exposure group were higher than those levels for members of control group (blood cadmium: 1.19 μg/L, urinary cadmium: 1.94 μg/g cr). The blood and urinary cadmium concentration levels were high in vegetarians of the exposure group and in the control group also these levels differed significantly between the exposure group and the control group. Conclusion: It was found that the exposure group, those who lived around abandoned metal mines had higher blood and urinary cadmium concentration levels than the control group. It is hoped that the findings of this study will in the future prevent further illness from this type of exposure.