URINARY CADMIUM LEVELS IN AN UNEXPOSED POPULATION - RELATIONSHIP TO AGE, SEX, AND SMOKING AND DRINKING HABITS

Urinary cadmium (Cd), and creatinine levels were determined in 529 inh abitants over 16 years living in Barcelona (Spain) without known Cd ex posure. The smoking and drinking habits were assessed by interview. Th e mean urinary Cd concentration was significantly higher for men than for women (0.55 vs. 0.36 mug/g creatinine). The levels of Cd in urine of men increased significantly with the consumption of tobacco and the age as smoker. However, although an increase was also observed in wom en, the differences did not reach the level of significance. Alcohol c onsumption did not modify the urinary Cd concentrations, which indicat es that alcohol does not mean an additional Cd contribution. According to these results, there is not a serious problem of environmental Cd contamination in Barcelona.