Association between Urine Cadmium and Urinary Indicators of Renal Dysfunction in Cadmium Plating Workers

Kalahasthi Ravi Babu, Hirehal Raghavendra Rao Rajmohan, and Bagalur Krishna Murthy Rajan

Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern), Indian Council of Medical Research, Bangalore Medical College Campus, Bangalore, India

Corresponding author: Kalahasthi Ravi Babu
    Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern)
    Indian Council of Medical Research
    Bangalore Medical College Campus
    Bangalore-560 002, India
    Telephone: +91-80-26705037
    Fax number: +91-80-26703359
    E-mail: Kalahasthi20012002@yahoo.co.in

CEJOEM 2006, Vol.12. No.4.: 235–242


Key words:
Urinary cadmium, urinary indicators of renal dysfunction, cadmium plating


Abstract:
The present study was carried out to investigate the association between urinary cadmium levels and urinary indicators of renal dysfunction in workers exposed to cadmium at cadmium plating. The urinary cadmium level was used as an indicator of the total body load. The levels of urinary β2-microglobulin and urinary total protein were used as indicators of renal dysfunction. These parameters were determined in 17 cadmium-exposed workers and, as controls in 17 office employees residing in the same city, but away from the place of cadmium plating. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to find association between urinary cadmium levels and indicators of renal dysfunction. The levels of urinary cadmium and urinary β2-microglobulin were significantly higher in the cadmium-exposed workers as compared to controls. No significant difference was found in the levels of urinary total protein in cadmium-exposed workers as compared to the control subjects. A positive and significant association was obtained between urinary cadmium levels and indicators of renal dysfunction (total protein and β2-microglobulin) in cadmium-exposed workers compared to controls. The results showed positive and significant association between the urinary cadmium levels and the indicators of renal dysfunction in cadmium plating workers subjected to long-term cadmium exposure.


Received: 12 June 2006
Accepted: 17 November 2006

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