Increase of lifetime cadmium intake dose-dependently increased all cause of mortality in female inhabitants of the cadmium-polluted Jinzu River basin, Toyama, Japan.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to cadmium (Cd) via food is supposed to affect life prognosis of inhabitants of Cd-polluted area in Japan. However, there have been few reports demonstrating a significant relationship between the amount of Cd intake and mortality. We aimed to investigate the relationship between mortality and individual lifetime Cd intake (LCd) in inhabitants of the polluted Jinzu River basin, Toyama, Japan.

METHODS: We conducted a 26-year follow-up survey in 2407 inhabitants (1208 men and 1199 women) who participated in health examinations for screening of renal dysfunction from 1979 to 1984. The calculation of LCd in each inhabitant was based on the formula of Nogawa (Nogawa et al., 1989): (mean Cd concentration in rice of the present hamlet × 333.5 g/day + 34 μg/day) × 365 days/year × number of years of residence in the present hamlet + 50 μg/day × 365 days/year × number of years living in Cd non-polluted regions. In this formula, 333.5 g/day is the 1970 average daily intake of rice in this area, 34 µg/day is the Cd intake from foods other than rice in this area, and 50 μg/day is the average intake of Cd in non-polluted areas in Japan. Mortality risk ratios of LCd for all and specific causes were estimated after adjustments for age at baseline, smoking status, and history of hypertension using a Cox hazard model or Fine and Gray competing risks regression model.

RESULTS: The mortality risk ratios of LCd (+ 1 g) for all causes in women were significantly dose-dependently increased (risk ratio: 1.08). Relative risk of LCd for kidney and urinal tract disease, renal diseases, renal failure and toxic effects of cadmium were significantly higher in women.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study documents that individual LCd dose-dependently decreased life prognosis over long-term observation in women. LCd was significantly related to the increased mortality for renal disease and toxic effect of Cd in women. The result provides clear evidence that life prognosis was adversely affected by Cd-exposure, especially in women.