Biomonitoring of mercury, cadmium, and lead exposure in Japanese children: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives To measure current Hg, Cd, and Pb exposure in Japanese children, and to estimate dietary intakes of foods responsible for high body burden. Methods Blood, hair, and urine samples were collected from 9 to 10-year-old 229 children in Asahikawa and measured for Hg, Cd, and Pb in these matrices. Diet history questionnaire was used to estimate intake of marine foods and other food items. Hg level was measured by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Cd and Pb levels were determined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results Geometric mean (GM) of blood Hg, Cd, and Pb was 4.55 lg/L, 0.34 lg/L, and 0.96 lg/dL, respectively. Urinary Cd level was 0.34 lg/g creatinine (GM) and hair Hg was 1.31 lg/g (GM). Approximately one-third (35 %) of blood samples had Hg level above the U.S. EPA reference dose (RfD; 5.8 lg/L). Hair Hg level exceeded U.S. EPA RfD (1.2 lg/g) in 59 % samples. Children in the upper quartile of blood Hg level had significantly higher intake of large predatory fish species compared to those in the lower quartile of blood Hg. Conclusions Those with high blood Hg level may be explained by more frequent intake of big predatory fish. Cd and Pb exposure is generally low among Japanese children. As no safety margin exists for Pb exposure and high exposure to MeHg is noted in Japanese population; periodic biomonitoring and potential health risk assessment should continue in high-risk populations, notably among children.

Blood Cd levels and carotid intima-media thickness in young adults living in Padang, Indonesia

“…Our study of blood Cd levels in Indonesian young adults living in a coastal city of Padang in West Sumatera Province showed that the median blood Cd levels (0.61 μg/L) is quite low compared to a previous study in adolescents in Iran (~ 10 μg/L (mean); [17]). However, this level was higher than that of 9-10-year-old children in Japan (0.34 μg/L (geometric mean); [18]) and 20-34 year-old general population in the US (0.27 μg/L (geometric mean); [19]). The median of blood Cd in our female subjects is lower than that of 18-24-year-old Norwegian women (0.59 vs. 1.43 μg/L; [20]).…”

Contribution of Fish Consumption to Cadmium and Lead Intakes in Coastal Communities of West Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…Therefore, preventive steps should be taken particularly for children as different age groups have different potential health risks. In addition, children with their lightweight body masses, limited knowledge on food preference, developing nervous systems, higher intestinal absorption and lower renal excretion; are the most vulnerable group to heavy metal exposure (Ilmiawati et al, 2015;Bosch et al, 2016). Therefore with long term exposure, children are more susceptible to the risk of heavy metals toxicity especially cadmium compared to adults.…”

What do we know about exposure of Iranians to cadmium? Findings from a systematic review

“…Absorption rate of cadmium in human is 3-5%. Absorbed Cd retains mainly in the kidney with a biological half time of around 10-30 years (Yuan et al 2014;Ilmiawati et al 2015;Zhang et al 2016). The urinary (uCd) and whole blood (bCd) cadmium concentration are good indicators of chronic and recent exposures, respectively.…”

“…The urinary (uCd) and whole blood (bCd) cadmium concentration are good indicators of chronic and recent exposures, respectively. The half-life of cadmium in blood is estimated to be 2-3 months (Farzin et al 2008;Ilmiawati et al 2015). Cadmium is primarily toxic for the kidney and increases the risk of cancer.…”