TITLE:
Twenty-Two-Year Observation on Urinary Cadmium and ß2-Microglobulin in Inhabitants after Cessation of Cadmium-Exposure in Japan
AUTHORS:
Reiko Sato, Teruhiko Kido, Hideaki Nakagawa, Muneko Nishijo, Ryumon Honda, Etsuko Kobayashi, Yasushi Suwazono
KEYWORDS:
Twenty-Two-Year Observation; Urinary-Cadmium; Urinary-ß2-Microglobulin; Itai-Itai Disease; Biological-Half-Life
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nephrology,
Vol.3 No.4,
December
27,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objective: This is an epidemiological survey that was conducted for 22 years
to investigate the physical effects on inhabitants who had been exposed to
cadmium (Cd) from processing
of remnants discharged at the time of copper refinement. It was possible to obtain findings on physical effects
27 years after Cd exposure. Materials and Methods: Of the inhabitants who were 50 years old or younger in 1981 and who
were living in the most contaminated area in the Kakehashi River basin, 68 (32
males and 36 females) who underwent all of the 5 screenings during the 22-year
period were extracted as subjects. Early morning urine was collected for
urinalysis, and Cd and ?2-MG
concentrations were determined. Results: 27 years after cessation of Cd exposure, it was shown that urinary Cd
concentrations were significantly decreased and urinary ?2-MG concentrations were significantly increased. Conclusion: Once exposed to Cd, it
takes about 30 years for the Cd that remains in the body to decrease by half. Once
renal tubular dysfunction occurs after Cd exposure, irreversible aggravation is
inevitable.