Abstract

Background

Cadmium is a heavy metal found naturally in the environment that has been associated with negative health outcomes. The present study examines levels of blood cadmium (BCd), urinary cadmium (UCd), and the main sources of cadmium exposure among Canadians aged 20 to 79.

Data and methods

The data are from cycles 1 (2007 to 2009) and 2 (2009 to 2011) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), including measures of BCd and UCd, markers of smoking status (self-reported and second-hand smoke exposure), and self-reported consumption of foods known to be high in cadmium. The relationship between sources of exposure and cadmium levels was examined descriptively. The magnitude of the contribution of different exposure sources was examined in regression models.

Results

Age and smoking status were the greatest contributors to BCd and UCd: older people and  current smokers had the highest cadmium levels. Dietary exposure, while significant, was a modest contributor overall, but a more important source of cadmium among never-smokers.

Interpretation

Smoking was the greatest contributor to cadmium levels among Canadians aged 20 to 79. Dietary differences explained a small percentage of variation in cadmium levels.

Keywords

Biomonitoring, Canadian Health Measures Survey, environmental exposure, environmental pollution, heavy metals, nutrition, smoking

Findings

Cadmium is a heavy metal found in the environment largely as a result of industrial and agricultural processes, but it can also occur naturally. Cadmium can have negative health consequences, including increased risk of cancer, kidney dysfunction, skeletal damage, and possible cardiovascular effects. Non-occupational exposure is generally through cigarette smoking and consumption of foods high in cadmium. [Full Text]

Authors

Rochelle Garner (rochelle.garner@canada.ca) is with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. Patrick Levallois is with the Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, Institut National de Santé Public du Québec and the Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec.

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What is already known on this subject?

  • Cadmium exposure is related to health conditions, such as cancer, kidney disease, and hypertension
  • Non-occupational exposure is generally through exposure to cigarette smoke and consumption of foods high in cadmium.

What does this study add?

  • Combining the first two cycles of the Canadian Health Measures Survey allows for a more detailed examination of cadmium levels and sources of exposure among Canadians than has been possible before now.
  •  Diet is an important source of cadmium exposure only among never-smokers.
  • Men and women differ in the extent to which sources of exposure are related to overall blood and urinary cadmium levels.

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