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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