The Association of Blood Concentrations of Healvy Metals and Blood Pressure in Residents Living Near Janghang Copper Smelter in Korea

Abstract

= Abstract =Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate a relationship between the blood concentrations of toxic metals and the blood pressure in people living near the copper smelter. Methods:The study included 570 adults living within 4km of the smelter. We compared systolic and diastolic blood pressure between tertiary groups for blood cadmium, mercury and lead levels, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors affecting systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Results:In male subjects, there is a significant difference in the mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure between tertiary groups of blood cadmium and mercury levels, but in women, there was no significant difference in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in all tertiary groups of heavy metals. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that age, BMI, and cadmium concentration in men were risk factors for blood pressure.In women, age and BMI, drinking and smoking, and blood mercury were significantly influenced to blood pressure. Conclusions:Residents living near the Janghang smelter showed high concentrations of blood lead and cadmium, suggesting that they were exposed to high concentrations of heavy metals released from the smelter in the past. Such exposure may have caused some blood pressure increase. Especially, the concentration of cadmium in the case of men and the concentration of mercury in blood in the case of women were found to be significantly related to the increase of blood pressure. The local population should be advised to make efforts to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants, in order to minimize cardiovascular disease, and to pay close attention to any health problems possibly related to toxic metal exposure.

Chronic Exposure to Lead and Cadmium in Residents Living near a Zinc Smelter

“…Accordingly, the recommendations were adjusted down to <5 µg/dL [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], while Germany rescinded the recommended value altogether [ 25 ]. In one Korean study of residents near a closed Cu smelter, the mean blood Pb level was 4.27 µg/dL, which was similar to that reported in the present study [ 26 ]. In contrast, a US study of residents near a Pb smelter reported a mean blood Pb level of 2.2 µg/dL, which was lower than our results [ 15 ].…”

Association between levels of exposure to heavy metals and renal function indicators of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas

“…Refinery-caused soil contamination occurs owing to heavy metal dust being discharged through chimneys in the refining process and dust generated during the transportation of the ores 11 . According to a detailed soil survey conducted in 2007, Zn and Cd concentrations exceeded the contamination threshold within a radius of 500 m from a refinery, and those of Pb, As, Cu, and Ni exceeded the threshold within a radius of 800 m 3 , 11 . The contamination level generally decreases as the distance from the refinery increases; thus, researchers have mostly investigated soil contamination within a radius of 2 km from a refinery.…”

Does low lead exposure affect blood pressure and hypertension?

“…A previous meta‐analysis indicated that a doubling of BLL was associated with a 1.0‐mmHg rise in SBP and a 0.6‐mmHg rise in DBP . However, the association was not consistently supported by previous studies of BLL and BP . For instance, one study of environmental lead exposure evaluated the relationship between BLL and BP in local residents living near a copper smelter in the Republic of Korea: no correlation between BLL and BP was observed …”

“…6,24 However, the association was not consistently supported by previous studies of BLL and BP. 25,26 For instance, one study of environmental lead exposure evaluated the relationship between BLL and BP in local residents living near a copper smelter in the Republic of Korea: no correlation between BLL and BP was observed. 26 The precise mechanisms underlying the hypertensive effect of chronic low exposure to environmental lead are unknown.…”

“…25,26 For instance, one study of environmental lead exposure evaluated the relationship between BLL and BP in local residents living near a copper smelter in the Republic of Korea: no correlation between BLL and BP was observed. 26 The precise mechanisms underlying the hypertensive effect of chronic low exposure to environmental lead are unknown. 6 Conversely, the development of HTN in subjects chronically exposed to high lead levels has been attributed to lead nephropathy.…”