舟山海岛地区孕妇及新生儿内环境汞暴露现状调查研究

目的调查研究舟山地区孕妇及新生儿汞暴露现状,为相关防治措施的制定提供科学依据。方法选择2006年3月～2007年7月在舟山市妇幼保健医院分娩的舟山本地户籍孕妇及其新生儿作为本次研究对象,对孕妇尿、血、头发及其新生儿脐带血进行汞含量测定,并进行书面问卷调查。结果本研究共测定孕妇尿汞样2 190份,算术平均值为2.58μg/L;发汞3 109份,算术平均值为1.27 mg/kg;血汞3 337份,算术平均值为5.40μg/L;新生儿脐带血汞样本2 998份,算术平均值为7.71μg/L;获得孕妇尿汞、发汞、血汞及新生儿脐带血汞相对应样本及问卷1 554份,研究显示孕妇的尿汞值、发汞值、血汞值、新生儿脐血汞值存在关联性,其中孕妇血汞值与脐血汞值关联性最强（r=0.600,P〈0.01）,其他的相关系数均小于0.20。孕妇吃鱼次数与尿汞、血汞和新生儿脐带血汞水平相关。结论舟山地区孕妇尿、血和脐带血汞量与孕妇吃鱼次数有关,有很大比例的孕妇和新生儿有潜在的汞危害,需要进一步采取措施进行干预。     

工业区居民砷、铅、镉的内暴露水平及影响因素分析

目的探讨工业区居民砷、铅、镉的内暴露水平及影响因素。方法采用随机整群分层方法抽取兰州市工业区常住居民135人进行问卷调查,尿及血中砷、铅、镉的含量检测。两组间比较采用Mann-Whitney U检验,多组间比较采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验;尿、血中重金属水平相关性分析采用Spearman等级相关。结果研究对象尿砷、尿铅、尿镉的几何均数分别为14.17μg/L、0.81μg/L、0.22μg/L;与儿童比较,成人尿铅、尿镉水平较高;与不吸烟者比较,吸烟者尿镉的水平较高(P0.05)。血砷、血铅、血镉几何均数分别为0.92μg/L、18.43μg/L、0.49μg/L;与儿童比较,成人血砷、血铅和血镉的水平均较高(P0.05);与不吸烟者比较,吸烟者血铅和血镉的水平均较高(P0.05)。尿砷和血砷、尿铅和血铅、尿镉和血镉的水平均呈正相关(P0.05)。结论工业区居民砷、铅、镉的内暴露水平存在年龄差异,吸烟也有影响;3种重金属的尿、血水平呈正相关。     

学龄前儿童PM2.5暴露与行为问题的关系研究

目的探讨学龄前儿童PM2.5暴露与行为问题的关系。方法于2013年4—9月采用分层抽样抽取深圳市某区22个幼儿园,对中班教室、幼儿起居室、玩具室等37个场所的PM2.5水平进行监测。采用Achenbach儿童行为量表调查幼儿园中班1290名学龄前儿童行为问题情况。结果儿童行为问题检出率为17.67%,儿童PM2.5个体暴露平均值为113μg/m3,最高值达206μg/m3。男童攻击性、违纪得分和总分与PM2.5水平呈正相关(β值分别为0.207,0.161,0.118;P0.05);女童抑郁、分裂样、多动得分及总分与PM2.5水平呈正相关(β值分别为0.126,0.171,0.150,0.143;P0.05)。结论环境PM2.5暴露与学龄前儿童行为问题关系密切。     

厦门市0～6岁儿童尿汞水平流行病学调查

目的通过对厦门市0~6岁儿童尿汞水平调查,了解厦门市儿童汞暴露水平。方法根据行政区划以及儿童人数分布从全市选取代表性的8个社区,进行分层随机抽样,共收集到1076例0~6岁儿童尿样。样本采用随意尿,每个儿童统一使用聚乙烯塑料瓶收集不少于5 m L尿样,尿样统一采用DMA-80自动测汞仪测定。结果儿童尿汞测定值呈偏态分布,因此使用几何平均数表示儿童尿汞的平均水平。男女儿童尿汞几何平均值分别为0.77μg/L和0.74μg/L,经非参数t检验比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。0~1岁、2~3岁和3~6岁3个年龄段的儿童尿汞几何平均值分别为0.74μg/L、0.75μg/L和0.78μg/L,经非参数t检验比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。对1076名儿童尿汞值分析得出尿汞的几何平均值为0.76μg/L,95%置信区间0.70~0.81μg/L。结论厦门市0~6岁儿童的尿汞水平的调查结果可以为国内沿海城市0~6岁儿童汞暴露水平的本底值研究提供参考。     

宫内汞暴露与新生儿体格发育指数相关性研究

【目的】 研究宫内汞暴露对新生儿体格发育指数的影响。 【方法】 研究期间对本院分娩的新生儿生后即刻取脐带血,胎发进行汞含量测定。新生儿出生后分别测定体重、身长、头围。按娩出时胎龄对照我国15城市新生儿体格发育指数测量值,求出所在百分位区间,并将脐血汞、胎发汞值进行统计学分析。 【结果】 2 316例配对测定脐血汞为(2.02±1.94)μg/kg,胎发汞为(244.06±2.24)μg/kg。 按百分位区间(10,P₁₀~P₂₅,P₂₅~P₇₅,P₇₅~P₉₀,>P₉₀)头围各组脐血汞值依次分别为2.50±1.88,2.05±1.92,1.88±1.96,1.50±1.76,1.77±1.49;胎发汞分别为360.91±2.12,262.97±2.15,201.65±2.22,205.31±2.18,208.50±1.49,差异有统计学意义(F₁=15.47,P₁=0.00;F₂=42.53,P₂=0.00)体重各组胎发汞值依次分别为195.07±2.13,227.25±2.19,247.69±2.18,252.29±2.32,246.89±2.32,各组间差异有统计学意义(F=2.57,P<0.05),但去除10组后,其余4组差异无统计学意义(F=0.91、P=0.44)。 【结论】 宫内汞暴露除影响胎儿日后智力发育外,还可能对新生儿头围产生不利影响。     

上海市脐带血汞水平及对新生儿体格生长的影响

目的 调查上海市胎儿期汞暴露水平;分析汞暴露对新生儿体格发育的影响;从而为减少汞暴露,提高人口素质提供参考依据.方法 采用分层整群抽样方法 随机抽取上海市10家有助产资格的医院,调查在2008年10月至2009年10月期间分娩的孕产妇及新生儿,分娩时采集脐带全血进行血汞检测;分析脐带血汞水平与新生儿出生身长、体重及头围的关系.结果 共调查1 652对产妇及新生儿,脐带血汞中位数为1.89μg/L,几何均数为(1.95±1.44)μg/L;脐带血汞水平与婴儿(r=-0.078,P=0.012)及男婴(r=-0.087,P=0.041)的出生身长负相关,与女婴的出生身长、体重及头围无相关性.结论 上海市胎儿期汞暴露水平较低.胎儿期低水平汞暴露可影响新生儿出生身长,并存在性别差异.     

某蓄电池生产地区6～12岁儿童环境铅暴露的调查

目的了解某蓄电池生产地区(A、B、C、D四个村)6～12岁儿童铅暴露状况。方法于2007年10至11月在某蓄电池生产地区(A、B、C、D村)采用分层随机抽样的方法,并采用自制问卷调查当地309名6～12岁儿童,并采集静脉血、头发、指甲样品,采用石墨炉原子吸收光谱法检测血铅、发铅、甲铅含量。结果被调查儿童血铅几何均值为71.2μg/L, 54名儿童血铅≥100μg/L(铅超标率为17.5%)。男女儿童血铅几何均值分别为75.0μg/L、67.5μg/L。A村6～10岁儿童血铅水平高于11～12岁儿童,B村男童血铅水平、铅超标率高于女童。A村(与D村比较)、6～10岁(与11～12岁比较)、男孩(与女孩比较)为儿童血铅超标危险因素,OR值分别为9.110、2.484、2.102。发铅、甲铅含量与血铅浓度均为正相关,男童发铅水平高于女童。结论A村儿童铅暴露最严重;发铅受性别影响;发铅、甲铅可作为铅中毒辅助诊断指标,对铅暴露有提示作用。     

妊娠期重金属暴露水平对母儿的影响及相关因素分析

目的 研究孕妇和脐血中血汞、砷的暴露水平及其对妊娠结局、妊娠并发症的影响,分析脐血中血汞、砷暴露水平的影响因素,用以指导孕产妇优生优育.方法 选取本院分娩的400例病例,采用微波消解和质谱分析方法测定孕妇和脐血中血砷含量,利用原子吸收法测定血汞含量.对孕妇居住环境、生活方式、膳食等情况等进行问卷调查,分析产妇血及胎儿脐血汞、砷暴露水平与妊娠结局的影响.结果 新生儿脐血汞、砷水平[（4.42±1.11）μg/L,（3.75±4.28）μg/L]与其母血汞、砷水平[（2.47±1.09）μg/L,（3.61±2.92）μg/L]呈正相关（r=0.88,0.91,P＜0.05）.血汞、砷升高组的妊娠不良结局发生率（36.78%,31.11%）和妊娠并发症发生率（36.77%,28.90%）分别高于血汞、砷正常组（11.50%,12.90%,14.68%,15.13%,χ2=7.07、9.94,P＜0.01）.多元线性回归结果显示食海鱼为汞暴露的危险因素（χ2=8.28,P＜0.01）,孕期摄入水果和开窗通风换气为预防汞暴露的保护性因素（χ2=9.02、6.05,P＜0.05）;使用化妆品和食用罐装食品为砷暴露的危险因素（χ2=7.35、10.38,P＜0.05）,孕妇高文化程度为预防砷暴露的保护性因素（χ2=8.87,P＜0.05）.结论 新生儿脐血汞、砷水平与母亲血汞、砷水平及环境因素、孕期保健等因素有关.加强健康教育和孕妇孕期保健是预防新生儿汞、砷中毒的有效途径.     

深圳市产妇、新生儿和少儿体内重金属负荷水平研究

目的了解深圳市敏感人群体内铬、砷、镉、汞、铅5种重金属的负荷水平。方法选择环境重金属污染敏感人群(包括产妇、新生儿和3~5年级儿童),采集产妇静脉血、胎儿脐血、儿童静脉血以及产妇和儿童的尿液,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定全血和尿液中镉、铅、铬、砷、汞的含量。结果产妇静脉血中铬、砷、镉、汞、铅质量浓度分别为2.58、1.57、0.99、1.66和18.52μg/L,新生儿脐带血重金属质量浓度分别为1.63、1.49、0.03、3.28和15.38μg/L;产妇尿中5种重金属的质量浓度分别为4.41、94.85、1.58、2.02和6.14μg/g·肌酐,尿镉和尿汞超标率分别为2.63%和7.14%;儿童静脉血中铬、砷、镉、汞、铅质量浓度分别为3.90、1.94、0.48、1.67和30.85μg/L,3名儿童血铅超标,尿中5种重金属的质量浓度分别为4.19、107.67、0.79、1.20和4.21μg/g·肌酐,仅1名儿童尿砷超标,12名儿童尿汞超标;尿样与血样中砷、镉、汞质量浓度呈显著正相关(P0.05)。结论人体生物样本中重金属质量浓度个体差异较大,本次调查的深圳地区重金属污染敏感人群(产妇、新生儿和儿童)体内重金属负荷水平远低于大多数其它国家和地区,但仍存在重金属铅、砷、汞、镉超标情况。     

两种尿汞表达方式在汞中毒实际的应用比较

目的比较尿汞mg/L、μg/g Cr两种表达方式应用于汞中毒诊断及预防实际中的效果。方法收集188名正常人(对照组)、1046名职业接触汞人员(试验组)随机尿样于聚乙烯塑料瓶中,用校正后的F732-Ⅴ型测汞仪、酸性氯化亚锡还原-冷原子荧光法测定尿总汞含量,用手工碱性苦味酸法检测尿液肌酐含量,尿汞结果分别以mg/L、μg/g Cr两种方式报告。结果对照组及试验组尿总汞含量两种表达结果均成正偏态分布,对照组尿汞mg/L的几何均数为0.00123、尿汞μg/g Cr的几何均数为0.96,两种报告方式的结果之间存在正相关关系(r=0.9967,P0.001);试验组尿汞mg/L的几何均数为0.00287、尿汞μg/g Cr的几何均数为2.42,两种报告方式的结果之间存在正相关关系(r=0.9935,P0.001)。以0.01 mg/L与4μg/g Cr为正常人参考值标准判断试验组检测结果时,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论以0.01 mg/L为正常人参考值做标准判断结果的漏诊率较高;判断个体样本的测定值是否超过正常参考值或生物限值,以μg/g Cr方式报告尿汞含量更符合临床实际;但大样本调查研究,以mg/L、μg/g Cr两种方式报告得出的结论差异无统计学意义。     

Longitudinal assessment of mercury exposure in schoolchildren in an urban area of the Brazilian Amazon

This study was a longitudinal assessment of mercury exposure in schoolchildren in an urban area of the Brazilian Amazon. The study population consisted of 90 children whose exposure levels were assessed by testing mercury levels in the umbilical cord blood and mothers' blood samples in 2000-2001, and in the children's hair and blood samples. The study also used a questionnaire on demographic and socioeconomic data, fish consumption, and self-reported disease history. Mean mercury level in hair in 2010 was approximately 1μg/g, ranging up to 8.22μg/g, similar to 2004 and 2006. These figures can be explained by low fish consumption. Mean blood mercury levels at birth exceeded 10μg/L, ranging up to nearly 60μg/L, which indicates mercury transfer across the placenta. There was a significant increase in blood mercury from 2004 to 2006 (p < 0.001), suggesting exposure through air pollution. The main exposure to mercury was during pregnancy.     

Methylmercury Monitoring Study in Karakuwacho Peninsula Area in Japan

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a worldwide concern owing to its adverse health effects. To explore MeHg exposure burdens and the potential contributing factors in different subpopulations in a peninsula area (Karakuwacho) in Japan, a cross-sectional survey was performed. This study included 189 individuals from 102 families. The geometric means of total hair mercury (THg) were 5.74, 3.78 and 2.37 μg/g for adult males, females and children, respectively, of which 56.5 %, 30.9 % and 12.9 % had hair THg exceeding 5 μg/g, respectively. Tuna and mackerel were the common fish species that were positively correlated with hair THg levels in different subpopulations (standardized coefficient ranged from 0.20 to 0.58, p < 0.05). Frequent consumption of these fish species and a large amount of fish intake are likely major contributors of MeHg exposure in this area. Local-scale risk evaluation and risk communication should be highlighted in future studies.     

Subclinical effects of prenatal methylmercury exposure on cardiac autonomic function in Japanese children

Objectives: The subclinical effects of prenatal exposure to methylmercury from fish consumption on the cardiac autonomic function were assessed in 136 Japanese 7-year-old children recruited for this study. Methods: Samples of child’s hair and dry umbilical cord preserved were collected, and hair mercury and cord tissue methylmercury concentrations were determined as current and prenatal exposure biomarkers, respectively. Cardiac autonomic indicators of parasympathetic and sympathetic activities were calculated from the electrocardiographic RR intervals measured. Results: In the children, the cord tissue methylmercury (0.017–0.367, median 0.089 μg/g) was not significantly correlated with the hair mercury (0.43–6.32, median 1.66 μg/g). The cord tissue methylmercury was related negatively to parasympathetic components of cardiac autonomic indicators (P<0.05) and positively to sympathovagal indices (P<0.05), even after correction for possible confounders such as age and sex, although the hair mercury was not significantly correlated with any cardiac autonomic indicators. Conclusions: Despite the potential limitations involved in the retrospective study, these findings suggest that prenatal methylmercury exposure (median of estimated maternal hair mercury at parturition, 2.24 μg/g) may be associated with reduced parasympathetic activity and/or sympathovagal shift.     

Awareness of Fish Advisories and Mercury Exposure in Women of Childbearing Age

Methylmercury crosses the placenta and increases the risk of impaired neurodevelopment in the fetus. Federal guidelines for fish intake and fish advisories are in place to help people of all ages limit their exposure to mercury from fish. However, recent studies suggest that the awareness of fish advisories is low among women of childbearing age. Fish intake is strongly correlated with hair mercury concentrations. In women in states with fish advisories, hair mercury concentrations were 7-fold higher in women who consumed 20 or more servings offish than in those who reported no fish consumption in the past 3 months (0.59 vs. 0.08 μg/g). Among this high fish consumption group, the 75th and 95th percentile of hair mercury concentrations were 0.99 and 2.29 μg/g, respectively. This is of concern because the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that hair mercury be less than 1 μg/g. Public health campaigns to reduce mercury exposure need further refinement to reach women of childbearing age.     

Blood and urine levels of Pb, Cd and Hg in the general population of the Czech Republic and proposed reference values

The Human Biological Monitoring (HBM) project was launched in the Czech Republic in 1994 as a part of the nation-wide Environmental Health Monitoring System to assess the exposure of the Czech general population to a broad spectrum of environmental contaminants. Over the years 2001-2003, the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) were determined in whole blood of 1188 adults (blood donors) and 333 children and in urine of 657 adults and 619 children. In adults, the median blood lead (B-Pb) level was 33microg/l. Men had higher B-Pb levels than women (medians 37microg/l vs. 25microg/l). Significantly higher B-Pb levels were observed in smokers compared to non-smokers (36microg/l vs. 31microg/l). In children, no sex-dependent differences were observed (median 31microg/l). In total, the median blood Cd level (B-Cd) in adults was 0.5microg/l. Smokers showed a median B-Cd level about 3 times as high as non-smokers (1.3microg/l vs. 0.40microg/l). Neither sex- nor age-related differences were observed in B-Cd levels. In 65% of children, B-Cd levels were below the limit of detection (LOD). The overall median urinary cadmium level (U-Cd) in adults was 0.31microg/g creatinine. Significantly higher U-Cd levels were found in women (median 0.39microg/g creatinine) compared to men (0.29microg/g creatinine). No significant differences were found between smokers and non-smokers. In more than 50% of children, the U-Cd level was below the LOD (=0.2microg/l). The median blood mercury (B-Hg) level in adults was 0.89microg/l. Significant differences were found between smokers (0.80microg/l) and non-smokers (0.92microg/l), and between men and women (0.86microg/l vs. 0.94microg/l). The median B-Hg level in children was 0.42microg/l and no sex-related differences were observed. The median urinary mercury (U-Hg) levels were 0.63microg/g creatinine in adults and 0.37microg/g creatinine in children. Significantly higher U-Hg levels were obtained in women and non-smokers compared to men and smokers, respectively. The B-Pb, B-Hg, U-Cd, and U-Hg levels significantly correlated with age. The following reference values were recommended for the period 2001-2003: 80, 65 and 55microg/l for B-Pb and 3.1, 4.0 and 1.5microg/l for B-Hg in men, women and children, respectively; 1.1microg/l and 1.2microg/g creatinine for B-Cd and U-Cd, respectively, in adult non-smokers; 5.4 and 12.0microg/g creatinine for U-Hg in men and women, respectively, and 3.7 and 5.5microg/g creatinine for U-Hg in boys and girls, respectively. The previous reference values for B-Pb and B-Cd needed revision and were reduced.     

The mercury burden of the Czech population: An integrated approach

In this paper an integrated approach in assessment of the population exposure from various sources of total mercury (THg) oral intake in the Czech Republic is presented. The information on total mercury levels in diet, drinking water, surface urban soil and body fluids and tissues stem from the Czech national Environmental Health Monitoring System (EHMS) operated since 1994. The THg concentration was determined by the special atomic absorption spectrophotometer AMA 254. The data on THg content in food from the sales network were collected in 12 cities. The estimated average dietary intake representing more than 95% of weight of usual diet composition ranged 1–2% of the JECFA/FAO WHO provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) value for total mercury (5 μg/kg b.w./week). Data on drinking water quality stem from the nationwide monitoring database. The content of THg in drinking water is generally low; only 0.2% of the Czech population supplied with drinking water from the distribution networks (total of 92% of the population) has a mercury intake from drinking water higher than 1% PTWI and not exceeding 5% PTWI. The estimation of potential mercury intake by unintentional consumption of soil in small children was based on THg content in surface soil of a total of 324 nursery schools in 24 cities and towns. Median value was 0.16 mg/kg. Human biomonitoring was performed in 9 Czech cities. In 2007, the mercury median values in blood of adults (N = 412) were 0.85 and 0.89 μg/l in males and in females, respectively; urine median value in adults was 1.10 μg/g creatinine. In 2008, the blood median value in children (N = 324) amounted to 0.35 μg/l; urine median value is 0.16 μg/g creatinine. In children's hair the median THg value was 0.18 μg/g. The correlation between fish consumption and blood THg levels was observed in both adults and children. Also the biomonitoring outputs did not reveal a substantial burden of the population.     

Factors affecting hand tremor and postural sway in children

Objectives It is crucial to consider covariates relevant for outcome variables in developing dose-effect relations of environmental hazardous toxins. The aim of this study was to clarify the covariates affecting hand tremor and postural sway in children. Methods Hand tremor and postural sway, as well as hair mercury concentrations, were measured in 155 boys and 148 girls at age 7 years. Results Current mercury concentrations in child hair ranged from 0.35 to 6.32 μg/g (geometric mean, 1.71 μg/g for boys and 1.58 μg/g for girls), and were not significantly correlated with the neuromotor parameters. All hand tremor and postural sway parameters, except for tremor intensity at 1–6 Hz with non-dominant hand, were significantly larger in the boys than in the girls. Using multiple regression analysis, some postural sway parameters were related negatively to age in the boys and girls (p<0.05), and positively to height (p<0.05). Similarly, hand tremor parameters were positively related to age, height and heart rate either in the boys or in the girls (p<0.05). Also, there were positive relationships between tremor intensity at 1–6 Hz and transversal and sagittal sways at 1–2 Hz and 2–4 Hz (p<0.05). Conclusions Heart rate and postural sway, together with age, sex, and height, should be considered in interpreting hand tremor in children. Hand tremor or postural sway may not be so sensitive or specific to methylmercury exposures at levels of less than 7 μg/g in hair.     

Biomarkers of mercury exposure at a mercury recycling facility in Ukraine

This study evaluates biomarkers of occupational mercury exposure among workers at a mercury recycling operation in Gorlovka, Ukraine. The 29 study participants were divided into three occupational categories for analysis: (1) those who worked in the mercury recycling operation (Group A, n = 8), (2) those who worked at the facility but not in the yard where the recycling was done (Group B, n = 14), and (3) those who did not work at the facility (Group C, n = 7). Urine, blood, hair, and nail samples were collected from the participants, and a questionnaire was administered to obtain data on age, gender, occupational history, smoking, alcohol consumption, fish consumption, tattoos, dental amalgams, home heating system, education, source of drinking water, and family employment in the former mercury mine/smelter located on the site of the recycling facility. Each factor was tested in a univariate regression with total mercury in urine, blood, hair, and nails. Median biomarker concentrations were 4.04 microg/g-Cr (urine), 2.58 microg/L (blood), 3.95 microg/g (hair), and 1.16 microg/g (nails). Occupational category was significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with both blood and urinary mercury concentrations but not with hair or nail mercury. Four individuals had urinary mercury concentrations in a range previously found to be associated with subtle neurological and subjective symptoms (e.g., fatigue, loss of appetite, irritability), and one worker had a urinary mercury concentration in a range associated with a high probability of neurological effects and proteinuria. Comparison of results by occupational category found that workers directly involved with the recycling operation had the highest blood and urinary mercury levels. Those who worked at the facility but were not directly involved with the recycling operation had higher levels than those who did not work at the facility.     

Investigation of the relationship between low environmental exposure to metals and bone mineral density,bone resorption and renal function

Environmental exposure to metals has been linked to adverse health outcomes. Exposure to cadmium has been associated with decreased bone density, an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture and possible renal dysfunction. Older women are a group at risk of renal and bone density impacts and exposure to metals may be an important risk factor for these health outcomes. This study was a cross sectional study of 77 women aged 50 years and above examining the relationship between metals exposure and renal and bone health. Urinary and blood metals concentrations, plasma creatinine, iron, ferritin and transferrin were measured in these subjects. Bone biomarkers assessed included the pyridinium crosslinks, pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline measured by ELISA. Renal function was assessed using eGFR and KIM-1. Whole body, hip and lumbar spine bone mineral density was assessed using DEXA. Blood and urinary metals concentrations were generally low in the subjects, with a median urinary cadmium concentration of 0.26 μg/g creatinine (range <0.065–1.03 μg/g). Urinary cadmium was found to be a significant predictor of bone mineral density at whole body, lumber spine, total hip and femoral neck, with increasing urinary Cd concentrations associated with decreased bone density. Urinary cadmium and aluminium concentrations were positively correlated with bone resorption whilst blood zinc and mercury concentrations were negatively correlated. Urinary aluminium was positively correlated with KIM-1 concentrations, a marker of early kidney damage, however blood zinc concentrations were significantly negatively correlated with this biomarker. This study provides additional support for low cadmium exposure being of concern for the health of older women. Further investigation into the role of exposure to other metals on bone and renal health is warranted.