Cadmium Intake Research Articles

Total arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium contents in edible dried seaweed in Korea

Total arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium contents were determined in 426 samples of seaweed sold in Korea in 2007–08. The average concentrations, expressed in mg kg−1, dry weight, were: total arsenic 17.4 (less than the limit of detection [LOD] to 88.8), Hg 0.01 (from 0.001 to 0.050), lead 0.7 (less than the LOD to 2.7), and cadmium 0.50 (less than the LOD to 2.9). There were differences in mercury, cadmium, and arsenic content in seaweed between different kinds of products and between coastal areas. The intakes of total mercury, lead, and cadmium for Korean people from seaweed were estimated to be 0.11, 0.65, and 0.45 µg kg−1 body weight week−1, respectively. With respect to food safety, consumption of 8.5 g day−1 of the samples analysed could represent up to 0.2–6.7% of the respective provisional tolerable weekly intakes established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, even if Korean people have a high consumption of seaweed, this study confirms the low probability of health risks from these metals via seaweed consumption.

Investigations on the estrogenic activity of the metallohormone cadmium in the rat intestine

Cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal and an important environmental pollutant, is now also regarded as potential endocrine disruptor. Its estrogenic effects have been examined so far just in classical target tissues, e.g. uterus, and mostly upon intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of CdCl(2). Yet, estrogen receptors are also expressed in the gut, and food is the main source of cadmium intake in the general population. Therefore, possible estrogenic effects were now investigated in the intestine of ovariectomized Wistar rats after oral short- and long-term administration of CdCl(2) (0.05-4 mg/kg bw on 3 days by gavage and 0.4-9 mg/kg bw for 4 weeks in drinking water) or upon i.p. injection (0.00005-2 mg CdCl(2)/kg bw), and compared to steroid estrogen (estradiol or ethinylestradiol) treated groups. Analysis of Cd in kidneys and small intestine by atomic absorption spectrometry showed dose-dependent increases in tissue levels with rather high Cd concentrations in the gut, both after oral and i.p. administration. Expression of metallothionein (MT1a), a typical metal response parameter, was clearly induced in kidney and small intestine of several CdCl(2) treated groups, but also notably increased by steroid estrogens. Levels of estrogen-regulated genes, i.e. pS2/TFF1, vitamin D receptor (VDR), and estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ER alpha/beta) were studied as parameters of hormonal activity: The intestinal mRNA expression of pS2/TFF1 was significantly decreased in the estrogen reference groups, but also after single i.p. injection and oral long-term administration of CdCl(2). In contrast, the mRNA and protein expression of the VDR were unaffected by long-term administration of Cd via drinking water. We detected expression of ERbeta, but not ERalpha in the small intestine of OVX rats. ERbeta mRNA and protein expression were significantly down-regulated by Cd, similar to the ethinylestradiol reference group. The mRNA expression and immunostaining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), as an index for cell proliferation, revealed decreases after long-term administration of Cd and ethinylestradiol. In summary, cadmium exposure was shown to modulate molecular and functional parameters of estrogenicity in the intestinal tract of OVX rats. As the intestine is known to express predominantly ERbeta, and is an important site of interaction with dietary contaminants, it is indicated to further investigate specific molecular mechanisms of cadmium and estrogen receptor interactions in more detail.

Кадмій в організмі людини і тварин. II. Вплив на функціональну активність органів і систем

The analytical review of new data regarding the effects of Cadmium on human and animal organism are presented. The peculiarities of Cadmium impact on functional activities of excretory, respiratory, haematopoietic, immune and other systems have been analyzed. It is shown that under long-term intake Cadmium accumulates in the cells and exhibits cumulative toxicity causing pathological changes in tissues and organs (kidney, lung, bone, reproductive and endocrine organs). It is noted that the susceptibility of cells to Cadmium is dependent on the level of expression of metallothionein genes. Metabolic effects in vitally important organs under the intake of Cadmium are considered. Keywords: Cadmium, toxicity, metabolism, nephropathy, osteoporosis, hemato­toxicity.

URBAN DIETARY HEAVY METAL INTAKE FROM PROTEIN FOODS AND VEGETABLES IN DAR ES SALAAM

Contamination of food and food products by heavy metals has made dietary intake as one of the major routes of these harmful elements to human beings. The human dietary intake of heavy metals cadmium, copper, lead and zinc from protein-foods (beans, meat, fish, milk) and green vegetables consumed daily from restaurants and street food-vendor kiosks in Dar es Salaam were determined using the Total Diet Study (TDS) method. The cooked food was bought from the restaurants and street food-vendors at several city locations (i.e. Buguruni, Manzese, Mwenge, Temeke and Ubungo) over several months and analyzed. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) after wet digestion of the edible portions of pooled samples of the foodstuff. The results showed significant variation in heavy metal concentration among the foodstuff and at the different locations. The results were compared to the FAO/WHO levels for Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) to estimate risk of toxicity and to the US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and/or Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake (ESADDI) for a deficiency in intake. The average weekly dietary intake of cadmium and lead from protein-foods and vegetables ranged from 0.20 - 0.42 µg/kg-bw/week (i.e. 2.82 - 6.00% of PTWI) and 4.77 - 9.83 µg/kg-bw/week (i.e. 68.1 – 140.4% of PTWI) respectively. These dietary intakes were below the ADI values of 0.5 µg/kg-bw/day and 3.6 µg/kg-bw/day of the WHO for cadmium and lead respectively. The daily dietary intake of zinc and copper at all the locations were also below the ADI for these elements, the average being 21.5% for copper and 19.8% for zinc. The results show clearly that the daily urban dietary intake of copper and zinc, from protein foods and vegetables along main streets at the above locations, was acceptable. Keywords : Heavy metal, dietary intake, protein foods, vegetables, Dar es Salaam Tanz. J. Sci . Vol 36 2010, 85-94

Кадмій в організмі людини і тварин. І. Надходження до клітин і акумуляція

The article presents analytical review of new data regarding the processes of Cadmium intake in human and animal organisms and accumulation of this heavy metal in organs and tissues. Biochemical mechanisms of Cadmium absorption in digestive tract and respiratory system, Cd 2+ transport to the cells, interaction with molecules of metallothionein and other proteins are reviewed. Regulation of Cadmium metabolism in animals and human is also considered. Keywords: Cadmium, heavy metals, organism, membrane transport, accumulation, metallothionein.

Lack of correlation between cadmium level in local brown rice and renal failure mortality among the residents: a nation-wide analysis in Japan

Cadmium is a ubiquitous hazardous element with nephro-toxicity after long-term exposure. The present study was initiated to examine possible effects of dietary cadmium (Cd) intake on health of local residents across Japan. For this purpose, Cd in locally harvested brown rice (Cd-BR) was taken as the parameter of Cd exposure, and two measures of mortality, i.e., standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and age-adjusted renal insufficiency mortality rate (AARIMR) were employed as parameters of over-all health effects including effects on kidney. Japan consists of 47 prefectures. Data on Cd in 37,250 brown rice samples harvested in 1997-1998 in the 47 prefectures were made available from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan. SMR and AARIMR data (for the year 2000) by two genders in the 47 prefectures were cited from publications of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan. Possible correlation of Cd in brown rice (Cd-BR) with SMR and AARIMR was examined by Poisson regression analysis. The geometric mean (GM) Cd-BR for Japan as a whole was 0.040 mg/kg with a geometric standard deviation (GSD) of 2.72. Prefectural GM values varied from a low of <0.01 mg/kg to a high of 0.089 mg/kg. Nevertheless, SMR (in a range of 89.9-119.5 for men and 87.1-111.7 for women) did not correlate with Cd-BR significantly. AARIMR (in a range of 5.3-11.9 and 3.2-8.4 for men and women, respectively) tended to decrease as a function of increasing Cd-BR both in men and women, although the correlation was insignificant in both genders. No evidence was obtained in the present analysis to suggest that either mortality as a whole or the mortality due to renal failure is affected by dietary intake of Cd in rice.

Alternate wetting and moderate soil drying increases grain yield and reduces cadmium accumulation in rice grains

AbstractBACKGROUND: Rice is the most important staple food in Asia but has also been identified as one of the major sources of cadmium (Cd) intakes for some Asian population. This study investigated whether grain yield could be maintained but Cd in grains be reduced through proper irrigation management when rice was grown in Cd‐contaminated soil.RESULTS: Compared to the well watered treatment, the alternate wetting and moderate soil drying (MD, re‐watered when soil water potential decreased to −20 kPa) increased grain yield by 10–12% and improved milling and appearance quality of rice when grown in a soil containing a water‐soluble Cd content of 18 g kg−1. An alternate wetting and severe soil drying (SD, re‐watered when soil water potential decreased to −40 kPa) showed an opposite effect. Both MD and SD significantly increased Cd content in roots while they reduced it in the straw. MD reduced Cd content by 19–21% in the grain and by 40% in milled rice. The SD significantly increased Cd content in the grain but reduced it in milled rice.CONCLUSION: An alternate wetting and moderate soil drying could increase rice yield and quality and also reduce Cd in the diet of rice. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

Cadmium accumulation in pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) and estimated dietary intake in the suburb of Hangzhou city, China

The total content of cadmium and its distribution between leaves and roots were investigated for pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.), which was grown in a contaminated area of Hangzhou city, China. Results showed that cadmium concentrations in 90% of samples exceeded the Chinese tolerance limit for food. Although roots of pak choi had a higher concentration of cadmium than leaves, leaf tissue (the edible part) accumulated over 80% (on average) of the whole plant cadmium burden due to the greater biomass in leaf tissue. Since pak choi is the staple vegetable in the study area and of great relevance to human health, the dietary intake of cadmium and calculated risk indexes to local residents through the food chain were determined.

Utilização da elódea (Egeria densa) na alimentação de suínos

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance livestock, carcass yield and economic viability of including Brazilian elódea (Egeria densa) in feed for pigs during the growing and finishing phases. We used 32 females, Dalland C-40 commercial line, with initial body weight of 23 &plusmn; 1.05 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments consisted of four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with crescents levels of inclusion of elodea (0, 5, 10 and 15%). The inclusion of elodea took one quadratic effect of the feed intake, decreased linear of the average daily weight gain and increased linearly the feed conversion. The variables of carcass only the hot carcass weight, carcass yield and backfat thickness showed decreasing linear behavior. The intake of cadmium did not cause toxicity in animals and neither led their concentration in the liver and kidneys. The economic viability as a function of body weight, and the hot carcass weight, showed a quadratic. It was concluded that the inclusion of elodea decrease feed conversion and weight gain, but is economically viable its inclusion up to 6.5% in females swine rations.

Re: Vitamin and mineral use and risk of prostate cancer: the case–control surveillance: Zhang et al. Cancer Causes Control. 2008 Dec 18 [Epub ahead of print

The report of Zhang et al. [1] concludes that, "long-term zinc intake from multivitamins or single supplements was associated with a doubling in risk of prostate cancer adds to the growing evidence for an unfavorable effect of zinc on prostate cancer carcinogenesis." Such conclusions have serious consequences on the thinking and actions of the medical, scientific, and public communities. In the absence of a knowledgeable background, most readers will accept at face value the report's conclusion regarding zinc supplement use and the development of prostate cancer. Therefore, it is important to question and raise serious issues regarding the appropriateness of the study and its conclusions. In this brief response, we highlight some important specific concerns regarding the findings of Zhang et al.; and direct the reader to the Taubes report and responses [2, 3] and to our review [4] for more extensive descriptions. Zhang et al.' s major conclusion regarding zinc is based on an OR = 1.9. However, the statistical significance (P = or 3 or 4, and preferably substantiated by other studies and by clinical evidence before a study should be given credibility [2, 3]. Coupled to this, the findings of Zhang et al. are inconsistent with other reports. For example, the supplemental zinc dosages (which are not provided in the report) likely vary from about 3 to 25 mg/day (the RDA = ~ 15 mg/day). At s ch levels, Leitzmann et al. [5] find no adverse effect; and Kri tal et al. [6] find a protective effect of zinc supplement. Kolonel et al. [7] found no association of zinc with the prostate cancer in subjects under 70 years old, and an OR = 1.7 for the population older than 70 years. In Zhang t al., population averaged 62 years of age. Kolonel et al. [8] later concluded," The data on other dietary components [including zinc] that have been examined with regard to pro tate cancer etiology... are too incomplete at th s time to draw any inferences as to their importance." Zhang et al. also cited a report [9] of an adverse effect of zinc, but those authors concluded that, "There was little association between prostate cancer and dietary intake of zinc, cadmium, selenium, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. "Contrary to the representation of Zhang et al. that reports consistently establish an adverse effect of zinc, no such consistency exists among these as well as other reports that show no effects or beneficial effects of zinc.

Cadmium Purification and Quantification Using Immunochromatography

One of the pathways by which cadmium enters human beings is through the consumption of agricultural products. The monitoring of cadmium has a significant role in the management of cadmium intake. Cadmium purification and quantification using immunochromatography were conducted in this study as an alternative means of cadmium analysis. The samples used in this study were rice, tomato, lettuce, garden pea, Arabidopsis thaliana (a widely used model organism for studying plants), soil, and fertilizer. The cadmium immunochromatography has been produced from the monoclonal antibody Nx2C3, which recognize the chelate form of cadmium, Cd.EDTA. The immunochromatography can be used for quantification of cadmium in a range from 0.01 to 0.1 mg/L at 20% mean coefficient of variance. A chelate column employing quaternary ammonium salts was used for the purification of cadmium from HCl extracts of samples. Recoveries of cadmium were near 100%, and the lowest recovery was 76.6% from rice leaves. The estimated cadmium concentrations from the immunochromatography procedure were evaluated by comparison with the results of instrumental analysis (ICP-AES or ICP-MS). By comparison of HCl extracts analyzed by ICP-MS and column eluates analyzed by immunochromatography of the samples, the estimated cadmium concentrations were closely similar, and their recoveries were from 98 to 116%.

Population toxicokinetic modeling of cadmium for health risk assessment.

BackgroundCadmium is a widespread environmental pollutant that has been shown to exert toxic effects on kidney and bones in humans after long-term exposure. Urinary cadmium concentration is considered a good biomarker of accumulated cadmium in kidney, and diet is the main source of cadmium among nonsmokers.ObjectiveModeling the link between urinary cadmium and dietary cadmium intake is a key step in the risk assessment of long-term cadmium exposure. There is, however, little knowledge on how this link may vary, especially for susceptible population strata.MethodsWe used a large population-based study (the Swedish Mammography Cohort), with repeated dietary intake data covering a period of 20 years, to compare estimated dietary cadmium intake with urinary cadmium concentrations on an individual basis. A modified version of the Nordberg-Kjellström model and a one-compartment model were evaluated in terms of their predictions of urinary cadmium. We integrated the models and quantified the between-person variability of cadmium half-life in the population. Finally, sensitivity analyses and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to illustrate how the latter model could serve as a robust tool supporting the risk assessment of cadmium in humans.ResultsThe one-compartment population model appeared to be an adequate modeling option to link cadmium intake to urinary cadmium and to describe the population variability. We estimated the cadmium half-life to be about 11.6 years, with about 25% population variability.ConclusionsPopulation toxicokinetic models can be robust and useful tools for risk assessment of chemicals, because they allow quantification and integration of population variability in toxicokinetics.

Individual Susceptibility to Cadmium Toxicity and Metallothionein Gene Polymorphisms: with References to Current Status of Occupational Cadmium Exposure

The incidence of serious poisoning caused by occupational cadmium exposure has declined over the past four decades due to improvements in the work environment. However, long-term low-level exposure to cadmium needs to be addressed. For workers in industries that handle cadmium, it is necessary to consider the daily cadmium intake from contaminated foods such as cereals and rice in addition to the occupational exposure, since workers might be exposed to higher levels of cadmium from a combination of these sources. Cadmium accumulates in the renal cortex by the long-term exposure along with increased concentrations of metallothionein, an important protein for protection from cadmium toxicity. However, some individuals have lower metallothionein levels despite increased cadmium accumulation in the kidneys. This article describes the strategy method for analyzing individual susceptibility to cadmium toxicity and genetic polymorphisms of metallothionein, with reference to the current status of occupational cadmium exposure.

Association of lifetime cadmium intake or drinking Jinzu River water with the occurrence of renal tubular dysfunction

This study was performed to clarify whether lifetime cadmium (Cd) intake (LCd) calculated from consumption of Cd-polluted rice and other foods, or drinking and/or cooking with Jinzu River water is associated with the occurrence of renal tubular dysfunction and to estimate the threshold level of LCd using a benchmark dose procedure. From participants in the 1967 and 1968 health examinations, the 2607 subjects (1430 men and 1177 women) who were aged 50 years or more, and who had either resided in the current hamlet since birth or moved there from a nonpolluted area and resided for a total of 30 years or longer were chosen as the target population. Based on a multiple logistic regression analysis performed for abnormal urinary findings (proteinuria, glucosuria, or proteinuria with glucosuria) using LCd as the explanatory variable with or without consideration of use of the river water for drinking and/or cooking, it was inferred that both factors of LCd and use of the river water influenced the occurrence of renal tubular dysfunction, with LCd appearing to exert a greater impact compared to drinking/cooking with the river water. Moreover, the threshold values of LCd for proteinuria with glucosuria were estimated to be 2.91 g in men and 1.79 g in women, without adjustment for use of the river water. After adjustment for its use, the values of proteinuria were calculated to be 0.93 g in women. When assuming user/nonuser status of the river water, the threshold level was calculated as 0.75/0.93 g in women. The difference of 0.18 g was interpreted as representing the influence of drinking/cooking with the river water.

Long-term Dietary Cadmium Intake and Postmenopausal Endometrial Cancer Incidence: A Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study

Environmental pollutants mimicking the effects of estrogen are suggested to contribute to the high incidence of hormone-related cancers, but supporting data are sparse. A potent estrogen-like activity of the pollutant cadmium, mediated via the estrogen receptor-alpha, has been shown in vivo. We prospectively examined the association between cadmium exposure and incidence of postmenopausal endometrial cancer. The Swedish Mammography Cohort is a population-based prospective cohort of 30,210 postmenopausal women free of cancer diagnose at baseline (1987) and who completed a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and in 1997. We estimated the dietary cadmium intake based on the questionnaire data and the cadmium content in all foods. During 16.0 years (484,274 person-years) of follow-up between the baseline and mid-2006, we ascertained 378 incident cases of endometrioid adenocarcinoma. The average estimated dietary cadmium intake was 15 mug/day (80% from cereals and vegetables). Cadmium intake was statistically significantly associated with increased risk of endometrial cancer in all women; the multivariate relative risk (RR) was 1.39 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-1.86; P(trend) = 0.019], comparing highest tertile versus lowest. Among never-smoking women with body mass index (BMI) of <27 kg/m(2), the RR was 1.86 (95% CI, 1.13-3.08; P(trend) = 0.009). We observed a 2.9-fold increased risk (95% CI, 1.05-7.79) associated with long-term cadmium intake consistently above the median at both baseline 1987 and in 1997 in never-smoking women with low bioavailable estrogen (BMI of <27 kg/m(2) and nonusers of postmenopausal hormones). Our results support the hypothesis that cadmium may exert estrogenic effects and thereby increase the risk of hormone-related cancers.

Dietary Intake of Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead by the Population of Catalonia, Spain

The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) were determined in samples of food items widely consumed by the population of Catalonia, Spain. All samples were randomly acquired in 12 cities of Catalonia between March and June of 2006 and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The dietary intake of these elements was estimated for various age-gender groups of population: children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. In order to determine the temporal trend on the dietary exposure to As, Cd, Hg, and Pb, the current results were compared with those of a previous survey (2000). In the present market basket study, for a standard male adult of 70-kg body weight living in Catalonia, the dietary intakes of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were 261.01, 9.80, 12.61, and 45.13 microg/day, respectively, while in the 2000 survey, these intakes were 223.59, 15.73, 21.22, and 28.37 microg/day, for As, Cd, Hg, and Pb, respectively. For As, the only food groups currently contributing with measurable amounts to intake of total As were fish and shellfish and cereals, while for Cd the highest contribution to total intake corresponded to pulses, tubers, and cereals. For Hg, the contribution was only due to fish and shellfish, while cereals were the group with the highest contribution to total Pb intake. The estimated intakes of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb are notably lower than the respective provisional tolerable weekly intakes, which indicate that these intakes should not mean additional health risks for the consumers.

Consumption of Heavy Metal and Minerals by Adult Women through Food in Sewage and Tube-Well Irrigated Area around Ludhiana City (Punjab, India)

A dietary survey was carried out during summer and winter seasons on 20-40 years old subjects i.e. 23 and 49 women from sewage and tube well irrigated areas, respectively around Ludhiana city (Punjab, India). Raw food samples from both the areas were analyzed for various minerals. Mineral intake by individual subjects were calculated from the amount of food consumed and mineral contents of foods. The data revealed that intake of lead by women in sewage irrigated area was almost twice the amount compared to women from tube well irrigated area. However, intake of lead was below the maximum tolerable limits, except by women in sewage irrigated area during summer season. Intake of cadmium in both the areas was 2-3 times higher than the prescribed tolerable limits in sewage irrigated area. The intake of nickel was higher by women subjects in sewage irrigated area , however, intake of nickel in both the areas was much below the maximum tolerable limits. Intake of copper was much higher than ICMR's suggested values while that of zinc was comparable to allowances in both areas. Manganese values were significantly higher in women from tube well irrigated area while that of iron was more in women from sewage irrigated area. Mineral intake reflected the mineral content of the foods consumed, because the mineral content of most vegetables was higher in sewage irrigated area except for manganese and zinc. Mineral content of drinking water was not much different.

Dietary Intakes of Bismuth, Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Lead and Thallium for Ukrainians

Dietary Intakes of Bismuth, Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Lead and Thallium for Ukrainians

Interactive Effects of Selenium and Cadmium on Mammary Tumor Development and Growth in MMTV-Infected Female Mice. A Model Study on the Roles of Cadmium and Selenium in Human Breast Cancer

Previous studies demonstrated that the age-corrected breast cancer mortalities in different countries are inversely correlated with the per-capita dietary intakes of selenium and directly with the estimated intakes of cadmium, zinc, and chromium, suggesting that the anticarcinogenic properties of selenium are counteracted by these elements. The tumor-preventative effects of selenium and the converse effects zinc and chromium have already been confirmed experimentally in studies with female inbred C3H mice carrying murine mammary tumor virus (MMTV). Using the same model of human breast cancer, it is now demonstrated that cadmium abolishes the cancer-protecting effects of selenium. In addition, cadmium was also found to interact with zinc, copper, and chromium. At 1.4 ppm in the drinking water, cadmium caused a significant depletion of zinc in vital organs such as the liver, which is held responsible for a delay of the appearance of the mammary tumors by 4 months and their slower growth rates relative to the Cd-unexposed controls. The results of the present study are relevant to human breast cancer prevention as selenium counteracts the effects of cadmium.

우리나라 일부 여성의 카드뮴과 납 섭취량 및 노출경로 평가

The publications on dietary intake, respiratory intake and blood concentration of cadmium and lead in some Korean women are reviewed. Reported values of dietary Cd intake as geometric mean were <TEX>$17.1{\mu}g/day$</TEX> in 1986, <TEX>$21.2{\mu}g/day$</TEX> in 1994, <TEX>$16.7{\mu}g/day$</TEX> in 2000, and blood concentration were <TEX>$1.45{\mu}g$</TEX> in 1986, <TEX>$1.27{\mu}g/l$</TEX> in 1994 and <TEX>$2.74{\mu}g/l$</TEX> in 2000, respectively. In case of Pb, the dietary intake were <TEX>$33.1{\mu}g/day$</TEX> in 1986, <TEX>$20.5{\mu}g/day$</TEX> in 1994, and <TEX>$18.4{\mu}g/day$</TEX> in 2000 and the blood concentration were <TEX>$51.5{\mu}g/l$</TEX> in 1986, <TEX>$44.3{\mu}g/l$</TEX> in 1994, <TEX>$37.3{\mu}g/l$</TEX> in 2000, respectively. Dietary intake is an almost exclusive route of Cd exposure, however respiratory intake in case of Pb is thought to affective exposure route in Korean women. When compared with the values reported in the literature, both of dietary Cd and Pb intake levels appear to be similar to or somewhat higher than the levels in east and south-east Asia.