Renal response to cadmium in a population living in a nonferrous smelter area in Belgium

Summary The exposure to cadmium and the kidney function of 60 women (more than 60 years old) who have lived in a cadmium-polluted area in Belgium have been compared with those of 70 women of the same age who have lived in another industrial area not polluted by cadmium. None of the subjects had been occupationally exposed to heavy metals.The group of women from the cadmium-polluted area (Liège) had a higher cadmium body burden as reflected by an increased excretion of cadmium in urine and a higher prevalence of signs of renal dysfunction than the women from the control area.