Correlation between environmental low-dose cadmium exposure and early kidney amage: a comparative study in an industrial zone vs. a living quarter in Shanghai, China

Abstract

To investigate heavy metal exposure in the environment of an industrial zone vs. a living quarter in Shanghai and heavy metal accumulation in the body of the residents, and explore the relationship between the heavy metal source, urine cadmium (Cd) content and early kidney damage (EKD). An automobile industrial zone in Northwest Shanghai and a living quarter in the central urban area of Shanghai were selected as the sampling sites to detect the concentration of PM2.5 and the content of heavy metals. One hundred and sixty-eight residents selected from the industrial zone were used as the exposure group, and 168 residents selected from the living quarter were used as the control group. Living habits, drinking water and food sources, and occupational exposure to heavy metals of the residents in the two groups were investigated and recorded. Blood lead and urine Cd, manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) levels in the body of the residents in the two groups were determined. The correlation of urine Cd with urine NAG, mAlb, KIM-1 and Cd-MT was analyzed. The urine Cd level in the residents of the exposure group was significantly higher than that in those of the control group. Cd was more likely to accumulate in the human body than lead and other heavy metals investigated. Serum Cys-C and urine NAG, mAlb, KIM-1 and Cd-MT levels in the exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Urine Cd, mAlb and KIM-1 were correlated with urine Cd-MT in the exposure group. With drinking water, food and occupational exposure adjusted, the difference of Cd content in the body of the residents between the two groups may be probably due to different PM2.5 contents in the environment arising from the industrial pollution.