Associations between Cadmium Exposure and Taste and Smell Dysfunction: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2011–2014

Abstract

Background: Cadmium is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and has been associated with many adverse health outcomes. However, little is known about the effect of cadmium exposure on taste and smell dysfunction. Methods: We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014 to investigate the associations between blood cadmium and taste and smell dysfunction among 5038 adults aged 40–80 years old. Taste and smell dysfunction were defined by questionnaires, examinations, or both criteria. Results: In survey weighted logistic regression models adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income-to-poverty ratio (IPR), and education, individuals with a blood cadmium level in the highest tertiles had significantly higher odds of having perceived smell dysfunction (odds ratio (OR) = 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 1.84), perceived taste dysfunction (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.89), and taste dysfunction defined by both self-reported and objectively measured data (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.07). After further adjusting for body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking, consistent results were observed for perceived taste dysfunction (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.00), and no significant associations were found between cadmium exposure and other outcomes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that cadmium exposure is associated with perceived taste dysfunction.

Exposure to Cadmium, Lead, and Tobacco Smoke and the 10-Year Cumulative Incidence of Olfactory Impairment

“…Blood cadmium levels in the BOSS were slightly lower than those reported in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 1999-2010 . A recent study in NHANES, 2011-2014 found no association between blood cadmium level and measured olfactory dysfunction, but the NHANES study was cross-sectional compared with the long-term prospective design of our study …”

Detection, Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Heavy Metals/Metalloids, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Goat Carcasses Processed for Human Consumption in South-Eastern Nigeria

“…The adverse human health effects of Cd metal, on the other hand, should not be underestimated. For instance, Cd exposure has been shown to bring about both taste and smell dysfunctions in China [ 69 ]. Excessive Cd level in the body can cause hepatotoxicity, osteoporosis, teratogenicity, neurotoxicity and immunosuppression due to apoptosis induction in normal human mononuclear cells [ 70 , 71 ].…”

Sublethal Exposure to Cadmium Induces Chemosensory Dysfunction in Fire Ants

“…A growing body of evidence suggests that environmental pollutants, including particulate matters, heavy metals, pesticides, and other organic pollutants, elicit neurodegeneration and olfactory dysfunction in human beings and animals, particularly in rat and fish. , For instance, Cd exposure was found to have no effect on the 1-octanol detection sensitivity in mice but led to dysfunction in olfactory learning and memory . Cd exposure at sublethal concentrations induced cell death and structural alterations in olfactory epithelium and caused behavioral deficits in zebrafish, Danio rerio .…”