Additional Burden of Diseases Associated with Cadmium Exposure: A Case Study of Cadmium Contaminated Rice Fields in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand

Abstract

The cadmium (Cd) contaminated rice fields in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand has been one of the major environmental problems in Thailand for the last 10 years. We used disability adjusted life years (DALYs) to estimate the burden of disease attributable to Cd in terms of additional DALYs of Mae Sot residents. Cd exposure data included Cd and β2–microglobulin (β2-MG) in urine (as an internal exposure dose) and estimated cadmium daily intake (as an external exposure dose). Compared to the general Thai population, Mae Sot residents gained 10%–86% DALYs from nephrosis/nephritis, heart diseases, osteoporosis and cancer depending on their Cd exposure type and exposure level. The results for urinary Cd and dietary Cd intake varied according to the studies used for risk estimation. The ceiling effect was observed in results using dietary Cd intake because of the high Cd content in rice grown in the Mae Sot area. The results from β2-MG were more robust with additional DALYs ranging from 36%–86% for heart failure, cerebral infarction, and nephrosis/nephritis. Additional DALYs is a useful approach for assessing the magnitude of environmental Cd exposure. The Mae Sot population lost more healthy life compared to populations living in a non- or less Cd polluted area. This method should be applicable to various types of environmental contamination problems if exposure assessment information is available.

Evaluation of the Dietary Intake of Cadmium, Lead and Mercury and Its Relationship with Bone Health among Postmenopausal Women in Spain

“…Urine cadmium levels have also been associated with osteoporosis [13,14] and dietary intake [15,16]. Even low-level cadmium exposure from food has been associated with low BMD and an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures [17].…”

Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Dysfunction Associated with Cadmium Exposure: Beneficial Effects of Curcumin and Tetrahydrocurcumin

“…Cd contamination in these areas is primarily associated with mining of zinc ores. In particular, Cd contamination may result from irrigation of paddy fields by two creeks (Mae Tao and Mae Ku) which pass through an area where a zinc mine has actively operated for more than 20 years (Songprasert et al 2015). People who live in contaminated areas are likely to be exposed to Cd via consumption of rice and other crops that are grown locally in these areas .…”

In Vitro Diabetogenic Effect of Cadmium on Liver

“…Cadmium (Cd) is a widely but sparsely distributed element found in the earth's crust and is primarily association with zinc ore. Cd is a common by product of processing zincbearing ore [1][2] . It has long been recognized as one of the most toxic elements because its tend to have a slow elimination rate and its half-life in the human body ranges between 10-30 years [3][4][5] . For most people, diet is a primary exposure source.…”