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The body burden of cadmium, as estimated from 24-h urine cadmium levels, was determined in 1 523 subjects who were not occupationally exposed and who lived in five areas of Belgium. Urinary cadmium levels differed significantly with place of residence. These differences persisted after standardization for the other significant determinants (i.e., age, body mass index, smoking habits, social class, alcohol consumption, and menopause). The highest 24-h urine cadmium levels were found in subjects who lived in areas that contained cadmium-polluted soils. The body burden overload has been attributed mainly to the consumption of locally grown vegetables and the use of contaminated well water for cooking and drinking. Blood cadmium levels were also dependent on place of residence. However, the geographical differences in blood cadmium did not parallel those of urine cadmium. Blood cadmium is more influenced by recent exposure; therefore, this latter observation might reflect the recent implementation of preventive measures in some areas., CADMIUM ACCUMULATES in the human body during life and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of renal tubular dysfunction.[1] In industrialized countries, release of cadmium into the environment has increased [...]

During the time period from 1984 to 1988, blood cadmium concentration decreased by 56% in 31 males who were not occupationally exposed to cadmium and who lived in a Belgian urban area where there existed nonferrous industries. A 40% decrease in blood cadmium concentration was also observed in an independent cross-sectional survey conducted in 1985 and 1988 among 412 subjects who lived in a rural area. This latter decrease persisted when the main determinants of blood cadmium concentration-gender, age, and tobacco--were allowed for. The results presented are consistent with a decrease in environmental cadmium exposure in Belgium., BELGIUM HAS BEEN a principal producer of zinc and cadmium in Europe for the past decades, the result of which has been appreciable environmental cadmium (Cd) pollution from the emissions [...]