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 ŽCd. pollution, serum Cd was estimated by atomic absorption spectrometry in 405 subjects, birth 18 years old, from Cairo City and its suburbs. Serum Cd mean concentrations were: 0.92 g l in 32 neonates Žbirth 4 weeks.; 1.33 g l in 70 infants Ž4 weeks 2 years.; 1.11 g l in 100 children in the preschool period Ž2 6 years.; 1.34 g l in 103 primary school children Ž6 12 years.; and 1.24 g l in 100 adolescents Ž12 18 years.. In neonates, 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 geometric mean level Ž1.25 g l. that was not in accordance to that of their mothers’ milk Ž0.52 g l, P 0.001., suggesting alternative routes of exposure. Environmental tobacco-smoke exposure was the most important determinant of Cd status in the school-aged children, the geometric mean being 1.42 g l in passive smokers vs. 1.2 g l in non-exposed children ŽP 0.05.. Moreover, adolescents who were active smokers had a significantly higher serum Cd level Ž1.7 g l. as compared to non-smokers Ž1.2 g l.. Gender did influence the Cd status in adolescents, being higher among males, probably related to smoking, or to the difference in lifestyle of adolescents according to gender in the community. Alpha-1-microglobulinuria was accompanied by a higher serum Cd concentration in the group of adolescents only, suggesting a subclinical renal effect after several years of cumulative exposure. The residential classification, whether urban or suburban, did not influence the serum Cd status; neither did the present or past history of bronchial asthma. These findings certainly justify further evaluation of the problem of Cd pollution among Cairene individuals, knowing the long-term consequences of exposure to it. Systematic efforts for the proper disposal of Cd wastes and prevention of smoking in public places are recommended