House dust as possible route of environmental exposure to cadmium and lead in the adult general population

Abstract

Contaminated soil particles and food are established routes of exposure. We investigated the relations between biomarkers of exposure to cadmium and lead, and the metal loading rates in house dust in the adult residents of an area with a soil cadmium concentration of X3 mg/kg (n ¼ 268) and a reference area (n ¼ 205). We determined the metal concentrations in house dust allowed to settle for 3 months in Petri dishes placed in the participants' bedrooms. The continuously distributed vegetable index was the first principal component derived from the metal concentrations in six different vegetables. The biomarkers of exposure (blood cadmium 9.2 vs. 6.2 nmol/L; 24-h urinary cadmium 10.5 vs. 7.0 nmol; blood lead 0.31 vs. 0.24 mmol/L), the loading rates of cadmium and lead in house dust (0.29 vs. 0.12 and 7.52 vs. 3.62 ng/cm 2 /92 days), and the vegetable indexes (0.31 vs. À0.44 and 0.13 vs. À0.29 standardized units) were significantly higher in the contaminated area. A two-fold increase in the metal loading rate in house dust was associated with increases (Po0:001) in blood cadmium (+2.3%), 24-h urinary cadmium (+3.0%), and blood lead (+2.0%), independent of the vegetable index and other covariates. The estimated effect sizes on the biomarkers of internal exposure were three times greater for house dust than vegetables. In conclusion, in the adult population, house dust is potentially an important route of exposure to heavy metals in areas with contaminated soils, and should be incorporated in the assessment of health risks. r

Cadmium exposure in the population: from health risks to strategies of prevention

“…Occupational exposures are found in industries such as electroplating, welding, smelting and refining, pigment production, and battery manufacturing. Other respiratory exposure to Cd can occur through inhalation of cigarette smoke (Järup et al 1998c) or indoor dust contaminated with Cd (Hogervorst et al 2007). …”

“…One can prevent this way of Cd exposure by installing a well-closed cover of plants on the contaminated soils. House dust historically enriched by Cd is a relevant route of exposure in polluted areas (Hogervorst et al 2007). In a population living in the vicinity of zinc refiners, a 2-fold increase in the metal loading rate in house dust was associated with increases in blood Cd (?2.3%) and urinary Cd (?3.0%), independent of the intake of locally grown vegetables (Hogervorst et al 2007).…”

“…House dust historically enriched by Cd is a relevant route of exposure in polluted areas (Hogervorst et al 2007). In a population living in the vicinity of zinc refiners, a 2-fold increase in the metal loading rate in house dust was associated with increases in blood Cd (?2.3%) and urinary Cd (?3.0%), independent of the intake of locally grown vegetables (Hogervorst et al 2007). Gastrointestinal absorption of Cd is estimated to be around 5-8%, but may increase in cases of iron deficiency (Flanagan et al 1978).…”

Economic Viability of Phytoremediation of a Cadmium Contaminated Agricultural Area Using Energy Maize. Part I: Effect on the Farmer's Income

“…From the end of the 19th century until mid 1970s, zinc and lead were refined at several locations in the north east of Belgium using a pyrometallurgical process (Vangronsveld et al 1995;Hogervorst et al, 2007). This refining was done on the sites in Lommel, Overpelt, Hoboken and Olen.…”

“…By consequence a large area is moderately contaminated due to atmospheric deposition of the dust with lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd). These heavy metals can be found in the upper layer of the soil (30-40 cm) and reach a vast area, in the Belgian part of Limburg alone 280 km² (=28,000 ha) (Hogervorst et al, 2007). In our study, we will focus on the areas that are used for farming activities, not on the residential areas.…”