Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the disparities and trends in demographics, social behaviors, and occupations for cadmium exposure in the U.S. Data were obtained from the NHANES database from 2007 to 2016. Analysis of variance tests were used to compare the association of the geometric mean values of urinary cadmium levels and various demographic and behavioral characteristics. We also conducted multivariable logistic regression while adjusting for these factors to determine the risk of toxic urinary cadmium levels (≥2 µg/g) across various patient characteristics. Of the 9639 participants, 52.8% were ≥45 years old, 51.7% female, and 48.3% male. White, Black, Mexican American, other Hispanic, and Asian comprised 66.4%, 11.5%, 8.7%, 5.8%, and 5.5%, respectively. Over 82% of participants were U.S. born. A total of 19.6% were current smokers. On multivariate analysis, older age (OR: 8.87), current smoking (OR = 5.74), Asian race (OR = 4.52), female sex (OR = 4.32), and foreign nativity (OR = 1.83) were significantly associated with higher cadmium levels. Older, Asian, foreign-born females showed a measurement of 0.69 μg/g, a value more than three-fold the sample population’s mean of 0.20 μg/g. A trend analysis demonstrated a cadmium level decrease over time (OR = 0.47). Asians had the highest urinary cadmium levels, especially older, foreign-born females. Smoking and poverty were also associated with significant elevations in cadmium levels.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilCadmium is one of many heavy metals that can accumulate in the kidneys and liver throughout an individual’s life
Environmental, and occupational sources of cadmium are the main contributors to daily cadmium exposure levels [1], and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the permissible exposure limit to 5 μg/m3 in workplaces to protect the health of people that are occupationally exposed to the metal
Our results suggest that older age, female sex, smoking, and poverty were associated with higher urinary cadmium levels
Summary
Cadmium is one of many heavy metals that can accumulate in the kidneys and liver throughout an individual’s life. Environmental, and occupational sources of cadmium are the main contributors to daily cadmium exposure levels [1], and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the permissible exposure limit to 5 μg/m3 (fumes) in workplaces to protect the health of people that are occupationally exposed to the metal. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) set an immediate Dangerous to Life and Health level (IDLH) of cadmium, which is 9 mg/m3 [2]. Low-level cadmium exposure can lead to various detrimental outcomes including depression, cardiovascular disease, reduced renal function, early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency, osteoporosis, and cancers [3–6]. Considering the severity of the diseases, it is important to understand the factors associated with excessive cadmium exposure.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International journal of environmental research and public health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
