Cadmium exposure of women in general populations in Japan during 1991–1997 compared with 1977–1981

Objectives: The Japanese people are known to have high environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd). The present survey was initiated to elucidate possible changes in the intensity of Cd exposure to the population by comparison of the present exposure level with the situation some 15 years ago. Methods: During 1991–1997, 24-h food-duplicate samples, peripheral blood specimens and morning spot urine samples were collected from 588 non smoking women from 27 survey sites in six regions, where food-duplicate and blood samples had also been obtained during 1977–1981 from 399 women. The samples were wet-ashed (after homogenization in the case of food-duplicates), and Cd in the wet-ashed samples was analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry for Cd intake via foods (Cd-F), Cd concentration in blood (Cd-B) and Cd concentration in urine (Cd-U). The Cd-F and Cd-B were compared with the Cd-F and Cd-B obtained at the same sites in the 1977–1981 survey. Results: The exposure levels during 1991–1997 were such that Cd-F, Cd-B and Cd-Ucr (Cd–U after correction for creatinine concentration) were 25.5 μg/day, 1.90 μg/l and 4.39 μg/g creatinine. Comparison with the 1977–1981 survey results (i.e., 37.5 μg/day for Cd-F and 3.47 μg/l for Cd-B) showed that there were significant reductions (by 32 and 45%) in both parameters respectively during the last 15 years. The dietary route was an almost exclusive (i.e., 99% of the sum of dietary and respiratory uptake) route of Cd uptake, of which Cd in rice (11.7 μg/day) contributed about 40% of the total dietary intake. When compared among survey sites, inter-site variation in dietary Cd intake was primarily due to differences in the intake through boiled rice. Despite the recent reduction in Cd exposure, the current exposure level for Japanese people is still higher than the levels among other rice-dependent populations in Asia as well as in other parts of the world. Comparison was made between the present findings in general populations and observations among known Cd-pollution cases in Japan. Conclusions: Dietary uptake is an almost exclusive route of Cd exposure in the general Japanese population. Boiled rice is a strong determinant of variation in dietary Cd intake. Whereas there was a substantial reduction in Cd exposure among Japanese populations in the last 15 years, the current level is still high when compared internationally. Received: 1 March 1999 / Accepted: 17 July 1999     

悬浮液进样-石墨炉原子吸收法快速测定植物样品中的铅和镉

目的 建立植物样品中铅和镉的悬浮液直接进样-石墨炉原子吸收测定方法。方法 将植物样品制备成悬浮液,直接进样石墨炉原子吸收测定。结果 本法Cd的线性范围为1.0～5.0 μg/L,相关系数为0.9996,对1.0 μg/L的Cd溶液进行5次测定,RSD为0.823%,Cd的方法检出限为0.003 mg/kg,特征浓度为1.3 pg/0.0044 A - s;Pb的线性范围为10～50 μg/L,相关系数为0.9990,对10 μg/L的Pb溶液进行5次测定,RSD为0.645%,Pb的方法检出限为0.0045 mg/kg,特征浓度为30 pg/0.0044 A - s。对标准物质GBW10013黄豆和GBW10015菠菜进行检测,测定值在推荐值范围内。结论 该方法具有前处理快速、简便,测定准确性好、检出限低等优点,适用于植物样品中铅、镉含量的测定。     

Possible effects of environmental cadmium exposure on kidney function in the Japanese general population

Objectives: To examine whether the current level of environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd) is associated with kidney dysfunction among general populations in Japan. Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted in Japan from 1991 to 1997 at 30 survey sites (with no known environmental heavy metal pollution), by the collection of 24-h food-duplicate samples, peripheral blood specimens and morning spot urine samples. In practice, 607 non-smoking adult women provided these samples. After being wet-ashed, the samples were analyzed for Cd in food duplicates (Cd-F), in blood (Cd-B) and urine (Cd-U) by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Urine samples were also analyzed for α₁-microglobulin (α₁-MG), β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) and retinol-binding protein (RBP), creatinine (cr) and specific gravity. Possible tubular dysfunction in association with Cd exposure was examined by simple, multiple and logistic regression analyses, and comparison among three different Cd-dose groups. To minimize the confounding effects of aging, 367 women from 41 to 60 years old were selected and subjected to the same statistical analyses. Results: The analysis of a whole population of 607 women showed that α₁-MG and possibly β₂-MG increased as a function of Cd-F, Cd-B and Cd-U. When the analysis was repeated with the selected population of 367 women aged 41–60, the Cd dose-dependent changes in α₁-MG and β₂-MG became less evident. The distribution of the selected population with α₁-MG above two low cut-off values of >4.9 and >8.4 mg/g cr or with β₂-MG above the lowest cut-off value of >400 μg/g cr, was biased toward the group with higher Cd-Ucr, but such bias was not significant for both α₁-MG and β₂-MG when higher cut-off values were employed. No bias was detected with RBP. Logistic regression analysis with α₁-MG, β₂-MG and RBP (with cut-off values given above) in combination with age, Cd-F, Cd-B and Cd-Ucr gave essentially the same results. Conclusions: The evidence for kidney dysfunction was of borderline significance in the present study population for which geometric mean Cd-F, Cd-B and Cd-U were 24.7 μg/day, 1.76 μg/l, and 3.94 μg/g cr, respectively. The findings might suggest at the same time that the safety margin is small for the Japanese general population regarding environmental Cd exposure. Received: 26 February 1999 / Accepted: 24 July 1999     

石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法测定枸杞子中微量元素的含量

目的:测定枸杞子中钴、钼、锗、镍、钒、铅、镉的含量,为临床应用枸杞子提供理论依据。方法:石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法。结果:枸杞子中7种元素的含量分别是:钴0.091μg/g、钼0.339μg/g、锗0.671μg/g、镍1.095μg/g、钒0.245μg/g、铅0.610μg/g、镉0.030μg/g。结论:枸杞中钴、钼、锗、镍、钒含量较丰富;也含有对人体有害的元素铅和镉。临床应用要依病情适量使用。     

Markers of early renal changes induced by industrial pollutants. III. Application to workers exposed to cadmium.

Cadmium (Cd) was the third heavy metal investigated in the European collaborative research project on the development and validation of new markers of nephrotoxicity. Fifty workers exposed to Cd and 50 control workers were examined. After application of selection criteria 37 workers (mean age 43) exposed to Cd for an average of 11.3 years; and 43 age matched referents were retained for final analysis. The average concentrations of Cd in blood (Cd-B) and urine (Cd-U) of exposed workers were 5.5 micrograms Cd/l and 5.4 micrograms Cd/g creatinine respectively. By contrast with lead and mercury, Cd had a broad spectrum of effects on the kidney, producing significant alterations in amounts of almost all potential indicators of nephrotoxicity that were measured in urine--namely, low and high molecular weight proteins, kidney derived antigens or enzymes, prostanoids, and various other biochemical indices such as glycosaminoglycans and sialic acid. An increase in beta 2-microglobulin and a decrease of sialic acid concentration were found in serum. Dose-effect/response relations could be established between most of these markers and Cd-U or Cd-B. The thresholds of Cd-U associated with a significantly higher probability of change in these indicators were estimated by logistic regression analysis. Three main groups of thresholds could be identified: one around 2 micrograms Cd/g creatinine mainly associated with biochemical alterations, a second around 4 micrograms Cd/g creatinine for high molecular weight proteins and some tubular antigens or enzymes, and a third one around 10 micrograms Cd/g creatinine for low molecular weight proteins and other indicators. The recent recommendation by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) of 5 micrograms Cd/g creatinine in urine as the biological exposure limit for occupational exposure to Cd appears thus justified, although for most of the effects occurring around this threshold the link with the subsequent development of overt Cd nephropathy is not established. In that respect, the very early interference with production of some prostanoids (threshold 2 micrograms Cd/g creatinine) deserves further investigation; although this effect might contribute to protect the filtration capacity of the kidneys, it might also play a part in the toxicity of Cd on bone.     

Reference intervals for blood Cd and Pb in the general population of Sardinia (Italy)

The reference values (RVs) for blood Cd and Pb of 215 adult subjects non-occupationally exposed and living in Sardinia (insular Italy) were assessed. Age, sex, smoking, alcohol drinking and living area were used to stratify the reference group. After collection from volunteers, samples were acid digested in a microwave oven and metals were determined by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The RVs expressed as 5th-95th percentiles (geometric mean, GM) were 0.24-1.82 μg/l (0.53 μg/l) for blood Cd and 13.2-87.3 μg/l (33.4 μg/l) for blood Pb. Females had GM levels of Cd (0.58 μg/l) higher than males (0.49 μg/l); subjects aged <40 years had less Cd (0.44 μg/l) than old subjects (>60 years; 0.56 μg/l); Cd in smokers (1.23 μg/l) was 3-times higher than in non-smokers (0.42 μg/l) and correlated with the number of cigarettes per day. The alcohol intake and place of living did not influence blood Cd. The GM values of blood Pb in males (44.4 μg/l) were higher than in females (24.7 μg/l); subjects less than 40 years-old (27.5 μg/l) showed lower Pb than elderly individuals (>60 years, 41.2 μg/l); drinkers (42.2 μg/l) had Pb 2-times higher than non-drinkers (24.4 μg/l). Blood Pb was not significantly affected by smoking and place of living. As revealed by multiple linear regression, the predictor variables were, in order of weight, smoke ? age for blood Cd levels, and sex = age ? alcohol for blood Pb levels.     

Lead and cadmium levels in daily foods,blood and urine in children and their mothers in Korea

OBJECTIVES: The present study was initiated to examine the dietary intake, blood level and urinary concentration of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) among children in Korea, in comparison with the findings in their mothers. METHODS: Peripheral blood, spot urine and 24-h food duplicate samples were collected in Busan, Korea, from 38 pairs of children (4-10 years of age) and their mothers (28-46 years, non-smoking, mostly housewives), who provided informed consent. Samples were wet-ashed by being heated in the presence of mineral acids, and Pb and Cd in the wet-ashed samples were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Pb and Cd in food (Pb-F, Cd-F), blood (Pb-B, Cd-B) and urine [observed value (Pb-Uob, Cd-Uob), and values corrected for creatinine (Pb-Ucr, Cd-Ucr) or a specific gravity (1.016; Pb-Usg, Cd-Usg)] were presented in terms of geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD). RESULTS: Pb-F and Cd-F in the children were 0.337 microg Pb and 0.457 microg Cd/kg body weight per day as GM, respectively. Pb-B and Cd-B were 38.0 microg Pb and 1.51 microg Cd/l, and Pb-U and Cd-Uob were 5.44 microg Pb/l and 1.33 microg Cd/l, respectively. Pb-F and Pb-B for children were not significantly different from the values for their mothers. In contrast, Cd-F and Cd-B were significantly different between children and their mothers. Cd-F for children correlated with Cd-F for mothers, but no significant correlation was observed in Cd-B, Cd-U, Pb-F, Pb-B or Pb-U between children and their mothers. The dietary intake of Pb in total Pb intake (i.e., respiratory and dietary intake) accounted for 51.7 and 64.8% in children and their mothers, respectively, whereas the corresponding proportions were 97.8 and 98.2%, respectively, for Cd. CONCLUSION: Cd intake was exclusively from food, both in children and mothers. Dietary Cd intake of children significantly correlated with that of their mothers. Dietary Pb intake in children, however, did not correlate with that of their mothers. Pb uptake from ambient air tended to be higher in children than in their mothers.     

Significance of urinary metallothionein in workers exposed to cadmium

Summary Cadmium in blood (Cd-B) and in urine (Cd-U) and metallothionein (Mt-U) and ₂-microglobulin in urine ( ₂m-U) were measured in 94 male Cd workers. The results were examined according to the workers' current exposure to cadmium (group C, n=73, workers currently exposed to Cd; group R, n=21, Cd workers removed from exposure or retired) and according to their renal status (group N, n=66, normal ₂m-U; group 1, n=28, ₂m-U>200 g/g creatinine). The interrelationships between Mt-U, Cd-U, Cd-B and years of cadmium exposure were examined in the various subgroups. The study of the correlations between these variables demonstrates that Mt-U is directly correlated with Cd-U but not with Cd-B or years of Cd exposure. The association between Cd-U and Mt-U is independent of the status of renal function and the intensity of current exposure to cadmium. Under moderate chronic exposure to cadmium, the fraction of Cd-U which is directly influenced by recent exposure (Cd-B) is small in comparison with that influenced by the cadmium body burden.     

Integrated indexes of occupational exposure as predictors of kidney dysfunction

The aim of the study was to evaluate the dose-effect and dose-response relationships between the integrated indexes Cd-A x t (mg/m3 x years of exposure) and Cd-B x t (microg/l x years of exposure), and the increase in retinol binding protein excretion in urine (RBP-U) and beta2-microglobulin concentration in serum (beta2M-S). The study was carried out in the nickel-cadmium battery factory in 1998-1999. Exposure to cadmium was formerly very high. The study group consisted of 116 persons for whom the results of determinations of Cd-B were available during two former observation periods (1983 and 1986-1988). The mean age of the group was 49 years and the mean period of exposure was 17 years. The dose-effect relationship between Cd-B x t and RBP-U or beta2M-S was much better (r = 0.642 and 0.513) than between Cd-A x t and RBP-U or beta2M-S (r = 0.173 and 0.127). There was also correlation between Cd-U (microg/g creatinine), measured in 1998-1999, and RBP-U or beta2M-S (r = 0.343 and 0.198). Urinary cadmium should, however, be used with caution as a dose estimate because its excretion may increase as a result of renal damage. According to the dose-response relationship, an increase in RBP excretion above 300 microg/g creatinine can be expected in 10% of subjects at the integrated exposure index (Cd-B x t) of about 450 microg/l x years, and an increase in beta2M-S above the accepted cut-off point of 2.4 mg/l can be expected in 10 % of subjects at Cd-B x t of about 190 microg/l x years. The data obtained confirmed the validity of the recommended at present health-based limit for occupational exposure of 5 microg/l of blood, as well as the superiority of the biological monitoring of exposure to cadmium over the environmental monitoring.     

Urinary excretion of an oxidative stress marker, 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua), among nickel-cadmium battery workers

The relationship between oxidative stress and carcinogenic metals including nickel and cadmium is a matter of interest. To assess the oxidative stress status of workers exposed to nickel and cadmium simultaneously, we determined urinary excretion of 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-Gua), a urinary oxidative stress marker. Our subjects were 66 (64 males and 2 females) nickel-cadmium battery workers. Spot urine and blood samples were collected. The levels of cadmium in blood (Cd-B) and nickel in urine (Ni-U) were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. 8-OH-Gua in urine was analyzed using a high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD) system. Data on age, sex, duration of present work and smoking status were also obtained from each subject. Creatinine-adjusted 8-OH-Gua was significantly correlated with age, Ni-U and Cd-B in univariate analysis, while multivariate analysis revealed that Ni-U and Cd-B were significant independent variables and that these two biological exposure indices were positively correlated with 8-OH-Gua. The data were also analyzed in the context of mixture toxicity. The subjects were divided into groups based on median level of Ni-U and Cd-B (2.86 mug/g creatinine and 0.23 mug/dl, respectively). Workers with high Ni-U/high Cd-B (Group IV) had the highest levels of 8-OH-Gua levels (GM (GSD), 21.7(2.0)), followed by those with high Ni-U/low Cd-B (11.5(1.6) Group III), those with low Ni-U/high Cd-B (8.9(1.9) Group II), and those with low Ni-U/low Cd-B (8.5(1.5) Group I). The p values of Students' t-tests between Group I and Group II, III and IV were 0.847, 0.050 and <0.001, respectively. The combined effect of Cd and Ni on the urinary excretion of 8-OH-Gua departed from additivity.     

Normal liver function in women in the general Japanese population subjected to environmental exposure to cadmium at various levels

Objectives: Whereas it is well established that environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd) may induce kidney dysfunction, less attention has been paid to the possible disturbance of liver function by Cd exposure. The possibility that liver function is adversely affected by current levels of environmental exposure to Cd as investigated in women in the general population in Japan, where the background level of exposure to Cd is known to be high. Methods: From 1991 to 1997, 24-h food duplicate, peripheral blood and morning spot urine samples were collected from 607 non-smoking and non-habitually drinking women (age range 19–78 years) at 30 survey sites (with no known environmental pollution from heavy metals) throughout Japan. Liver function parameters in serum were examined by conventional methods. After wet-ashing, the food duplicate, blood and urine samples were analyzed for Cd intake via food (Cd-F), Cd in blood (Cd-B), and Cd in urine (Cd-U) by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: The geometric mean values for Cd-F, Cd-B, and Cd-U were 24.7 (27.1) μg/day, 1.76 (2.07) μg/l, and 3.94 (4.61) μg/g creatinine (values in parentheses for 41- to 60 year-old women), respectively. It as found that the three parameters of ALP, ALT, and AST activity were positively and significantly related to the age of the subjects (whereas no association as detected in cases of γ-GTP, LAP, and albumin). Accordingly, a further analysis as made with 367 women selected by age (41–60 years; about 60% of the total population). Essentially, no Cd dose-dependent changes in liver function parameters were observed in the selected population of this narrower age range. Conclusions: Overall, it seemed prudent to conclude that liver function as not disturbed by the current environmental exposure to Cd in Japan. Received: 16 March 1999 / Accepted: 17 July 1999     

Lead and cadmium levels in blood samples from the general population of Sweden

Lead and cadmium was determined in whole blood samples obtained from 473 nonoccupationally exposed adult persons in Sweden in 1980. Analyses were performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry equipped with an electrothermal atomization unit. Accuracy of the analysis was confirmed by the analysis of quality control samples. Blood lead concentrations were shown to be significantly influenced by sex, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption. Current male smokers had a median blood lead level of 92 μg Pb/liter, as compared to 77 μg Pb/liter for nonsmokers. For females the corresponding values were 69 μg Pb/liter and 57 μg Pb/liter for current smokers and nonsmokers, respectively. Highly significant correlations were found between stated alcohol consumption and blood lead in most of the different sex and smoking categories. People living in apartments close to streets with heavy traffic in Stockholm had slightly, but not significantly, higher blood lead levels when compared to people living in areas of this city with low traffic density. Blood cadmium levels were very strongly affected by smoking habits. A significant correlation existed between the number of cigarettes consumed daily and blood cadmium concentration. The median blood cadmium level for nonsmoking males was 0.2 μg Cd/liter (?0.2, detection limit) and for females 0.3 μg Cd/liter. About 90% of all nonsmokers had cadmium concentrations in blood below 0.6 μg Cd/liter, whereas about 90% of the current male and female smokers had cadmium concentrations in blood of 0.6 μg Cd/liter or more.     

微波消解-石墨炉原子吸收法测定滩涂中的铅和镉

目的:建立滩涂中铅和镉的微波消解-石墨炉原子吸收光谱测定方法。方法:以磷酸二氢铵-硝酸镁作基体改进剂,采用硝酸-氢氟酸进行微波消解,利用塞曼扣背景,石墨炉原子吸收法测定滩涂中的铅和镉含量。结果:铅和镉分别在2.0μg/L～50.0μg/L和0.2μg/L～5.0μg/L范围内具有良好的线性,相关系数大于0.999,加标回收率为90%～103%,RSD均小于5.0%。结论:建立的方法具有简便、灵敏、准确的特点,适合于高盐滩涂中铅镉的测定。     

Blood lead,cadmium and mercury among children from urban,industrial and rural areas of Fez Boulemane Region (Morocco): Relevant factors and early renal effects

Objectives

To describe blood lead (Pb-B), cadmium (Cd-B) and mercury (Hg-B) levels in children living in urban, industrial and rural areas in Fez city (north of Morocco) and to identify the determinants and some renal effects of exposure.

Material and Methods

The study was conducted from June 2007 to January 2008 in 209 school children (113 girls, 96 boys), aged 6–12 years, from urban, industrial and rural areas in Fez city. Interview and questionnaires data were obtained. Blood and urinary samples were analyzed.

Results

The mean of blood lead levels (Pb-B) in our population was 55.53 μg/l (range: 7.5–231.1 μg/l). Children from the urban area had higher blood lead levels (BLLs) mean (82.36 μg/l) than children from industrial and rural areas (48.23 and 35.99 μg/l, respectively); with no significant difference between boys and girls. BLLs were associated with traffic intensity, passive smoking and infancy in the urban area. The mean of blood cadmium levels (BCLs) was 0.22 μg/l (range: 0.06–0.68 μg/l), with no difference between various areas. Rural boys had higher BCLs mean than rural girls, but no gender influence was noticed in the other areas. BCLs were associated with the number of cigarettes smoked at children’s homes. The blood mercury levels (BMLs) mean was 0.49 μg/l (range: 0.01–5.31 μg/l). The BMLs mean was higher in urban and industrial areas than in the rural area with no gender-related difference. BMLs were associated with amalgam fillings and infancy in the urban area. About 8% of the children had BLLs ≥ 100 μg/l particularly in the urban area, microalbuminuria and a decrease in height were noticed in girls from the inner city of Fez and that can be related to high BLLs (89.45 μg/l).

Conclusions

There is a need to control and regulate potential sources of contamination by these trace elements in children; particularly for lead.     

Time trend of cadmium intake in Korea

Objectives

The aim of this study was to elucidate past and current levels of cadmium (Cd) intake among the general populations in Korea.

Methods

For this purpose, publications reporting dietary intake of cadmium (Cd-D), cadmium concentration in blood (Cd-B) and that in urine (Cd-U) in Korea were retrieved through literature survey for a period from 1975 to 2015.

Results

In practice, 9, 21 and 14 articles were available on Cd-D, Cd-B and Cd-U_cr (Cd-U as corrected for creatinine concentration), respectively. Linear regression analyses of the reported values as a function of years (i.e., the year when each survey was conducted) showed steady decreases in all of the three exposure markers of Cd-D, Cd-B and Cd-U_cr. Factors possibly contributing for the reduction were discussed including the government-set guideline of 0.2 mg/kg for rice and changes in food habits among general populations.

Conclusions

There have been steady decreases in Cd-D, Cd-B and Cd-U_cr. The current estimates for Cd-D, Cd-B and Cd-U_cr were 6.0–7.4 μg/day, 0.73–0.83 μg/L and 0.60–0.95 μg/g cr, respectively.

     

Markers of cadmium exposure in workers in a cadmium pigment factory after changes in the exposure conditions

The objective of this study was to assess changes in concentrations of cadmium in the blood (Cd-B), cadmium in the urine (Cd-U), beta2-microglobulin in the serum (beta2-mG-S) and beta2-microglobulin in the urine (beta2-mG-U) of workers at a cadmium (Cd) pigment factory in Japan in which exposure conditions improved. We evaluated reversibility of these markers in continuously employed workers in relation to changes in exposure levels resulting from improvements in the workplace and the reduced production of Cd. Our study involved both environmental and biological monitoring. Data were collected for four years. We measured the Cd concentration in the air of each work area, using the time-weighted average (TWA). Cd-B and Cd-U were measured in workers as direct indices of Cd exposure. beta2-mG-S and beta2-mG-U were measured as markers of renal tubular function. Exposure levels were high in all work areas, according to the criteria set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Workers' Cd-B and Cd-U concentrations reflected high levels of exposure. Correlation was found between these direct indices and beta2-mG-S concentrations. Since the second year, ambient Cd concentrations decreased and reacted markers have been improved. Our results suggest that Cd-B, Cd-U, beta2-mG-S and beta2-mG-U are appropriate markers for monitoring both the level of Cd exposure and the tubular function of workers. Reversibility of urinary low molecular weight protein was observed in the workers over the four years.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法与液体激光荧光法分析水中铀的比较

目的 建立微波消解、电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP-MS）测定水中铀的方法，并与液体激光荧光法进行比较。方法 应用建立的微波消解、电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）和液体激光荧光法分别测定不同水样中的铀含量。结果 液体激光荧光法和ICP-MS法的检出限分别为0.021 μg·L^-1和0.003 μg·L^-1，测定结果的标准偏差范围分别为1.20%~4.24%和0.78%~3.46%，精密度分别为3.02%和0.71%，采用两种方法对实际样品进行分析，结果吻合。结论 ICP-MS测量水中铀的检出限低，精密度和准确度更高，但仪器昂贵，测量成本高，因此每个实验室要根据实际条件及样品含铀量大小选择分析方法。     

碰撞池-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定血液透析水中的10种元素

目的建立碰撞池-电感耦合等离子体质谱测定血液透析水中铍、铬、铜、砷、镉、锑、钡、汞、铊、铅的检测方法。方法以45Sc、89Y、103Rh、175Lu作为内标元素,应用电感耦合等离子体质谱直接测定血液透析水中铍、铬、铜、砷、镉、锑、钡、汞、铊、铅等10种元素的含量。结果 10种元素在0.0～50.0μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.999 5～1.000 0,各元素的检出限为0.002～0.069μg/L,定量下限为0.007～0.230μg/L,相对标准偏差（RSD）为0.57%～10.76%,加标回收率为85.0%～106.9%。结论该法灵敏度高、精密度好,结果准确可靠,适合测定血液透析水中10种金属和非金属元素。     

Comparison of in vivo effect of inorganic lead and cadmium on glutathione reductase system and delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase in human erythrocytes.

The activity of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD) of erythrocytes, the lead (Pb-B) and cadmium (Cd-B) concentration in whole blood, the content of reduced glutathion (GSH) in erythrocytes, and the regeneration rate of GSH by intact erythrocytes were measured during an epidemiological survey of 84 men employed in a Belgian cadmium and lead producing plant. A control group of 26 persons (students and laboratory staff) was also examined. The logarithm of the ALAD activity is highly inversely correlated with log Pb-B (r = -0.760) but no correlation was found with log Cd-B. There exists a significant negative correlation between GSH and log Pb-B (r = -0.423) but not between GSH AND LOG Cd-B. The apparently good relationship between log ALAD and GSH disappeared completely by holding log Pb-B constant, but log ALAD remained highly inversely correlated with log Pb-B when standardized for GSH concentration (r = -0.748). In vivo investigation of the GSH regeneration rate of intact erythrocytes demonstrated clearly that the overall activity of the glutathione oxidation-reduction pathways is not impaired in Pb and Cd-exposed workers with significantly increased Pb-B and Cd-B, since their initial GSH regeneration rate (first 15 minutes) was identical with that of the control group. Results of similar in vitro experiments in which control whole blood was incubated before-hand with Pb2+ or Cd2+, or both, reinforce this conclusion. Since increased Cd-B and Pb-B do not influence the glutathione reductase system of erythrocytes, and since endogenous erythrocyte GSH is not correlated with Cd-B, the moderate decrease in endogenous erythrocyte Gsh found in Pb-exposed workers might result from a Pb-induced impairment for the erythrocyte mechanism for glutathione synthesis.     

Uptake of cadmium in meals from the digestive tract of young non-smoking Japanese female volunteers

OBJECTIVES: To estimate rates of cadmium (Cd) uptake from the digestive tract and changes in Cd in biological specimens after intake of Cd mainly in rice. METHODS: Twenty-five young non-smoking Japanese female volunteers (20-23 in age) were recruited and a 20-d experimental study was conducted. With polished rice containing 0.004 ppm and 0.340 ppm of Cd, Meal L and Meal H were prepared. Approximately 12% of total Cd in Meal L and 92% of total Cd in Meal H originated in rice. The volunteers ate Meal L for 11 d to achieve a stable intake-output balance of Cd. Fifteen of the 25 volunteers ate Meal H on the 12(th) day (Group D1), and the remaining 10 ate Meal H on the 12(th), 13(th) and 14(th) day (Group D3). All 25 subjects then resumed the consumption of Meal L to the end of the study (20(th) day). All meals, feces and urine were collected during the study, and Cd intake from the daily meals (Cd-I), Cd in feces (Cd-F) and Cd in urine (Cd-U) were determined. For measurement of Cd in blood (Cd-B), venous blood was collected from all volunteers on the day before the study and again on the 12(th) and 20(th) day; venous blood was also collected from 4-8 volunteers at additional time points. RESULTS: Mean Cd-I was 4.51 microg/d (range: 1.85-6.93) or 48.48 microg/d (range: 27.98-56.27) when they ate Meal L or Meal H. Cd-F and Cd-B exhibited faster responses to the change in Cd-I than did Cd-U. The Cd(uptake) rate, defined as (1-Cd-F(excess) /Cd-I(excess)) (Fig. 1), was 47.2% (range: -9.4-83.3%) in Group D1 and 36.6% (range: -9.2-73.5%) in Group D3, and the Cd(balance) rate, defined as (1-Cd-F(output) /Cd-I(intake)), was 23.9% (range: -4.0-37.7%) in Group D1 and 23.7% (range: -8.2-56.9%) in Group D3. CONCLUSIONS: Cd-F and Cd-B are better biological monitoring parameters for assessing change in Cd-I than Cd-U. The Cd(uptake) and Cd(balance) rates appeared to be higher than those in previous papers when ingested Cd mainly originated in rice.