Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that has been recognized as significant to environmental health. Thailand’s Tak Province, known for its historical mining and agricultural activities, has been identified as an area of high cadmium exposure. The objective of this investigation was to assess urinary cadmium (UCd), metallothionine in serum (B-MT-1), and kidney injured molecular-1 in urine (U-KIM-1). The target population and study area comprised individuals born between 1992–1999 in the zinc-mining areas of the Phatapadaeng, Mae Tao, and Mae Ku subdistricts of Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. The sample size was 122 participants and the criteria for inclusion were the individuals rechecked for UCd in 2016. The case definition included testing for UCd by ICP-MS, early renal dysfunction (U-KIM-1), amounts exceeding 0.20 µg/gCr, and environmental exposure to cadmium, indicated by B-MT-1 using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient (r), chi-square (χ2), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 0.05 level of statistical significance to make inferences. The results indicate that 90.16% of the urine samples contained cadmium concentrations between 0.20 and 0.49 µg/gCr. The prevalence of MT-1 and KIM-1 in individuals aged 19–21 was 19.35% and 17.59%, respectively. We found that MT-1 was significantly higher among the residents of Phatadpadaeng, whereas KIM-1 was dominant among Mae Ku subdistrict participants. Females aged 15–18 and 19–21 had higher levels of MT-1 and KIM-1 compared to males in both age groups. The concentration of UCd was found to be higher among participants aged 15–18 and 19–21 years with UCd levels ranging between 0.20–0.49 µg/gCr-MT-1 and 0.50–0.80 µg/gCr-KIM-1. There was no correlation between age, gender, or region and MT-1 and KIM-1 detection. Menstruation is one of the risk factors for iron loss resulting in iron deficiency among teenage girls, and thus a source of cadmium bioavailability in the body. We, therefore, recommend that relevant authorities should focus on carrying out periodic surveillance among women aged 19 to 21 to identify those affected and subject them to treatment.
Fluoride naturally occurs in the Earth’s crust and is widely dispersed in groundwater. The high consumption of fluoride can inhibit iodine metabolism in the human body, especially in the thyroid gland. This study assessed iodine knowledge, iodine consumption behavior, urinary iodine (UI), thyroid stimulating hormone (serum TSH), and free triiodothyronine3 (serum FT3) and examined the connection between fluoride exposure and UI and thyroid function as serum concentrations of TSH and FT3 in pregnant women dwelling in an area of endemic fluorosis. This was a cross-sectional study. The population included 152 pregnant women within the 1st trimester of pregnancy, during which they were provided antenatal care (ANC) in seven public community hospitals in Phayao province, Thailand. The study consisted of two components. First, the study consisted of a questionnaire in which we evaluated the iodine knowledge and iodine consumptive behaviors in subjects. Second, biochemical data were investigated to evaluate thyroid function in the subjects. The gestational age of most subjects was 8–12 weeks. The study population has lived in fluoride-contaminated areas since birth (76.97%). The iodine and iodine consumption levels were moderate (50.00%). Their food iodine consumption was 3–4 days/week, and the top five consumption ranks were iodized salt, cooked pork, eggs, sticky rice, and iodine fish sauce. In terms of biochemical parameters, 63.16% of respondents had UI levels below 150.00 g/L, which is below the normal reference range of 150.00–249.00 g/L. 89.47% of the risk of hypothyroidism was associated with serum TSH levels below 2.50 g/L. In 38.16% of the samples, normal levels of serum FT3 (2.00–4.40 pg/L) were identified in the subjects. In addition, 61.84% of the samples had FT3 concentrations greater than 4.40 pg/L (high intake of iodine). The approved association between positive serum FT3 data and serum TSH was positive (r = 260 and p < 0.05). These studies imply that these elevated levels of TSH and FT3 place pregnant women in their first trimester at risk for hypothyroidism.
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