Environmental exposure to cadmium—a risk for health of the general population in industrialized countries and preventive strategies

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal belonging to the group of the main chemical pollutants of the natural and occupational environment in economically developed countries. The forecasts indicate that contamination of the environment with this toxic metal, and thus the exposure of the general population, will increase. Food (particularly plant products) is the main source of the general population exposure to this element. Moreover, an important, and often the main, source of intoxication with Cd is habitual tobacco smoking. Recent epidemiological studies have provided numerous evidence that even low-level environmental exposure to this toxic metal, nowadays occurring in numerous economically developed countries, creates a risk for health of the general population. The low-level lifetime exposure to this metal may lead to the damage to the kidneys, liver, skeletal system, and cardiovascular system, as well as to the deterioration of the sight and hearing. Moreover, it has been suggested that environmental exposure to this xenobiotic may contribute to the development of cancer of the lung, breast, prostate, pancreas, urinary bladder, and nasopharynx. Taking the above into account, the aim of this review article is to draw more attention to Cd as an environmental risk factor for the health of the general population and the need to undertake preventive actions allowing to reduce the risk of health damage due to a lifetime exposure to this toxic metal.

Benchmark dose estimation of urinary and blood cadmium as biomarkers of renal dysfunction among 40‐75‐year‐old non‐smoking women in rural areas of southwest China

“…Similar relationships between U‐Cd and the two indicators of renal function have been reported in studies conducted on Cd‐polluted or non‐polluted areas (Cui et al, ; Kubo et al, ; Mezynska & Brzoska, ). Wang et al showed that β 2 ‐MG is the most sensitive indicator in women compared with NAG and RBP (Wang et al, ).…”

“…Thus, the body burden and biological effects of Cd among residents in this area is an urgent issue that must be investigated. Considering that a high rate of Cd is absorbed in the lungs, the body burden of Cd in smokers or ever‐smokers was much higher than that in non‐smokers (Ing‐Marie et al, ; Mezynska & Brzoska, ). In addition, women are at higher risk of Cd‐related health effects (Soisungwan, Witaya, Werawan, Muneko, & Patricia, ).…”

Chronic long‐term exposure to cadmium air pollution and breast cancer risk in the French E3N cohort

“…Cadmium is a common environmental contaminant and a metal belonging to group IIB of the periodic table, which has an estrogen‐like activity . Cadmium is emitted in the environment as a result of both natural and anthropogenic activities.…”

“…4 Cadmium is a common environmental contaminant and a metal belonging to group IIB of the periodic table, which has an estrogen-like activity. 5 Cadmium is emitted in the environment as a result of both natural and anthropogenic activities. Natural sources include volcanic activity, weathering of cadmiumcontaining rocks, sea spray and cadmium deposited in soils, sediments and landfills.…”

Review of polyphenol‐rich products as potential protective and therapeutic factors against cadmium hepatotoxicity

“…Available data from epidemiological studies provide increasing evidence on the close connection between human health status and the quality of diet, as well as chemical pollution of the natural and occupational environment (European Food Safety Authority [EFSA], 2009;EFSA, 2012;Fagerberg et al, 2015;Julin et al, 2012;Nogawa et al, 2017;Satarug, Vesey, & Gobe, 2017a, 2017b. These data, together with reports on the unavoidable and increasing lifetime exposure of the general population in industrialized countries to numerous substances hazardous to health (United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP], 2010; World Health Organization [WHO], 2010a), have attracted growing attention that has now been focused not only on recognizing the main environmental risk factors for human health, but also on effective ways of preventing the unfavorable effects of exposure to them, or at least to ameliorating these effects (Mężyńska & Brzóska, 2018;Nogawa et al, 2017;WHO, 2010aWHO, , 2010b. It is particularly important in regard to organs and systems at highest risk of damage, such as the liver (Hyder et al, 2013;Kang, Cho, Lim, Seo, & Hong, 2013;Mężyńska & Brzóska, 2018;Satarug et al, 2017aSatarug et al, , 2017bWallin et al, 2016;Wang et al, 2016) .…”