The association between cadmium and lead exposure and blood pressure among workers of a smelting industry: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundLead and cadmium are harmful heavy metals that are used for a variety of occupational purposes. Considering their potentially hazardous effects on health, studies on the association between exposure to these two heavy metals and health disorders have been actively conducted. This study aimed to determine the association between blood lead and cadmium levels and blood pressure in workers exposed to lead and cadmium in a smelter.MethodsNine hundred and sixty-three male workers who worked in a smelter, and underwent medical examinations at the Ulsan University Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2014, were selected as participants. Among them, 310 subjects whose data on height, weight, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and blood lead and cadmium levels were available and who answered the questionnaire were selected as the final participants. We investigated the drinking habit, smoking status, exercise adequacy, and family history of hypertension of these workers using formal questionnaires. A statistical analysis was conducted using Student’s t-test, analysis of variance, and linear or logistic regression.ResultsThe association between blood lead and cadmium levels and blood pressure was analyzed through statistical adjustment of the risk factors of hypertension. Results showed an association between blood cadmium level and blood pressure elevation. However, blood lead level was found to be not correlated with blood pressure elevation.ConclusionsThis study shows the association between blood cadmium level and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) elevation.Trial registrationIRB No. 2017–03-037. Retrospectively Registered 30 March 2017.

Assessement of Blood Lead and Cadmium Levels in Occupationally Exposed Workers of Jodhpur, Rajasthan

“…Ind J Clin Biochem any significant change with age. This finding is in line with a study conducted by Chan et al [19] in which they reported increase in cadmium levels with age in individuals working in smelters. Poreba et al [20] assessed blood cadmium in workers of steel industry in Poland and reported significantly higher levels of CdB in exposed group(2.98 ± 3.29 lg/l) as compared to control group(1.41 ± 2.08 lg/l) which is similar to the findings in our study, where the mean blood cadmium levels of exposed individuals is 2.48 ± 1.20 lg/l.…”

Biomarkers of Exposure among USA Adult Hookah Users: Results from Wave 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (2013–2014)

“…No consistent differences in concentrations of metals were observed between hookah users and never tobacco users. Univariate analysis showed lower concentrations of cadmium in hookah users compared to never tobacco users, but this was likely confounded by the large difference in age between these two groups [ 39 ]. In fact, after adjusting for covariates, including age, there was no difference in cadmium levels between hookah users and never tobacco users ( Table 4 ).…”

Health risk in road transport workers. Part I. Occupational exposure to chemicals, biomarkers of effect

“…The carcinogenic effect of other compounds is calculated in comparison to B(a)P. Personal monitoring of bus drivers (N = 50) in Czech Republic on 2 consecutive days showed statistically significant lower B(a)P and car-stolic blood pressure, was observed [34]. Tobacco smoking is another factor that increases exposure to heavy metals.…”

“…The environmental and occupational exposure to lead and cadmium may be related to the development of hypertension, while lead has an additional documented neurotoxic and damaging kidneys effect [34,35]. Lead has been classified by IARC as an agent with a proved carcinogenic effect in animals, and as potentially carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), whereas cadmium has been included in Group 1, i.e., among substances that are carcinogenic to humans.…”