ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RENAL EFFECTS AND CADMIUM EXPOSURE IN CADMIUM-NONPOLLUTED AREA IN JAPAN

Renal effects of cadmium exposure in people living in a cadmium nonpol luted area in Japan were investigated. The population consisted of 150 1 inhabitants (558 men and 743 women) over 50 years of age. Urinary ca dmium was employed as an indicator of internal dose, and total urinary protein, beta(2)-microglobulin, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase wer e used as indicators of renal dysfunction. Multiple regression analysi s and a logistic regression analysis were performed to study the relat ionship between urinary cadmium excretion and these indicators of rena l dysfunction. In both procedures, urinary cadmium concentrations were significantly associated with indicators of renal dysfunction. These results suggest the existence of renal dysfunction induced by exposure to environmental cadmium in a cadmium-nonpolluted area in Japan. (C) 1998 Academic Press.