Environmental exposure of the pediatric age groups in Cairo City and its suburbs to cadmium pollution

In a trial to assess the exposure of subjects in the pediatric age group to cadmium (Cd) pollution, serum Cd was estimated by atomic absorption spectr ometry in 405 subjects, birth-18 years old, from Cairo City and its suburbs . Serum Cd mean concentrations were: 0.92 mug/l in 32 neonates (birth-4 wee ks); 1.33 mug/l in 70 infants (4 weeks-2 years); 1.11 mug/l in 100 children in the preschool period (2-6 years); 1.34 mug/l in 103 primary school chil dren (6-12 years); and 1.24 mug/l in 100 adolescents (12-18 years). In neon ates, serum Cd was higher in babies with weights and heights that remained below the 5th percentile for age. Breast-fed infants had a serum Cd geometr ic mean level (1.25 mug/l) that was not in accordance to that of their moth ers' milk (0.52 mug/l, P < 0.001), suggesting alternative routes of exposur e. Environmental tobacco-smoke exposure was the most important determinant of Cd status in the school-aged children, the geometric mean being 1.42 mug /l in passive smokers vs. 1.2 mug/l in non-exposed children (P < 0.05). Mor eover, adolescents who were active smokers had a significantly higher serum Cd level (1.7 mug/l) as compared to non-smokers (1.2 mug/l). Gender did in fluence the Cd status in adolescents, being higher among males, probably re lated to smoking, or to the difference in lifestyle of adolescents accordin g to gender in the community. Alpha-1-microglobulinuria was accompanied by a higher serum Cd concentration in the group of adolescents only, suggestin g a subclinical renal effect after several years of cumulative exposure. Th e residential classification, whether urban or suburban, did not influence the serum Cd status; neither did the present or past history of bronchial a sthma. These findings certainly justify further evaluation of the problem o f Cd pollution among Cairene individuals, knowing the long-term consequence s of exposure to it. Systematic efforts for the proper disposal of Cd waste s and prevention of smoking in public places are recommended. (C) 2001 Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.