An epidemiological study on renal dysfunction of inhabitants in Cd-exposed areas in the Kakehashi River basin in ishikawa Prefecture

Abstract

Urine samples were collected from 3178 inhabitants of the Kakehashi River basin, an area exposed to Cd, and 294 nonexposed inhabitants of Ishikawa Prefecture. All subjects were over 50 years old. The samples were analyzed for protein, glucose, amino acid, β2-microglobulin and Cd. The mean urinary concentrations of these parameters were higher in the Cd-exposed subjects than in the nonexposed subjects. The concurrent prevalences of proteinuria and glucosuria, as well as those of aminoaciduria and β2-microglobulinuria were higher in the Cd-exposed subjects than in the nonexposed subjects. β2-microglobulin was considered to be the most useful indicator of the renal effects of Cd exposure. In the Cd-exposed subjects, the prevalence of β2-microgloburinuria was higher in those who ate Cd-polluted rice in those who ate unpolluted rice. Among them, the prevalence of β2-microglobulinuria increased in men living in the polluted area for over 60 years and in women living there for over 40 years.