Reduced cadmium and lead burden in Japan in the past 10 years

Abstract

The Cd burden in Japan has decreased markedly in the past 10 years, although it is still higher than in other countries. The Pb burden has been quite low.

Exposure assessment of male recruits in Slovenia to cadmium and lead due to biological monitoring

“…A similar blood lead level was also observed in Japan in 1980, yet in the period of 10 years, that is, by 1990, it dropped to 23 mg/l (Watanabe et al, 1996). The drop in blood lead level, after the use of leaded petrol was gradually reduced, was reported from other countries as well.…”

“…This was also shown by the research on blood cadmium level in a group of men in Singapore, where the mean cadmium level found was 1.31 mg/l (Xu et al, 1994). In Japan, a research conducted by Watanabe and associates showed that the mean cadmium level in blood of nonexposed women was 1.84 mg/l (Watanabe et al, 1996).…”

“…Rice is considered to contribute the most to the dietary intake of cadmium also in Japan, where the blood cadmium level was observed to have reduced from 3.6 in 1980 to 1.84 mg/l, which is mostly attributable to the reduction of cadmium content in rice due to stricter environmental policy (Watanabe et al, 1996).…”

“…Besides, great differences can be observed in eating habits of individuals. In moderately exposed persons, the usual blood cadmium level is up to 4 mg/l, and in most cases around 1 mg/l or less (Watanabe et al, 1996;Moon et al, 1995). The level also depends on whether such persons are smokers or nonsmokers or subjected to passive smoking, respectively.…”

“…Several researches show that the blood lead level in people not being occupationally exposed and not living in contaminated areas usually varies between 30 and 60 mg/l (Watanabe et al, 1996;Dewailly et al, 2001;Gulson et al, 1999). Of the adult population living in urban areas, 99% has a blood lead level below 200 mg/l (WHO, 1987).…”