THE INTEGRITY OF THE LIVER AMONG PEOPLE ENVIRONMENTALLY EXPOSED TO CADMIUM AT VARIOUS LEVELS

The objective of the present study was to examine if environmental exp osure to cadmium (Cd) had any impact on the integrity of the liver amo ng the general Japanese population. A nationwide survey was conducted in the winter seasons of 1991-1995 in 15 prefectures in Japan to colle ct 24-h food duplicates, peripheral blood samples, and morning spot ur ine samples from healthy nonsmoking adult women. The samples were anal yzed for Cd by automated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectromet ry. In total, 371 women offered food duplicate, blood, and urine sampl es. The dietary Cd intake was 17.3-79.4 mu g/day, the level of Cd in b lood was 1.58-3.82 ng/ml, and the urinary Cd concentration was 1.06-4. 74 mu g/g creatinine as geometric means calculated on a regional group basis. Analyses for correlation with liver function showed no Cd-expo sure-related elevation in enzyme levels or reduction in albumin levels ' in serum. The distribution of cases with enzyme levels above normal ranges (or below normal in the case of albumin) did not show any dose- related bias. The age of the subject, not the exposure to Cd, was the most influential factor in determining serum enzyme levels. Environmen tal expo sure to Cd has not affected the integrity of the liver among the general population in Japan.