E. Hossny et al., Environmental exposure of the pediatric age groups in Cairo City and its suburbs to cadmium pollution, SCI TOTAL E, 273(1-3), 2001, pp. 135-146
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.