title: Inorganic components of drinking water and microalbuminuria.
abstract: Relatively little is known of the chronic effects attributable to the ingestion of inorganic components such as uranium and silicon. Although ingestion of large amounts of U can cause acute renal damage through a chemical effect, studies on humans have typically considered inhalation the route of exposure. We investigated the association between drinking water concentration levels of U and Si, and microalbuminuria, a sensitive biological indicator of renal dysfunction. Linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between U cumulative exposure index and albumin per mmol creatinine (P = 0.03). No such significant relationship appeared for Si, although a positive trend was witnessed. Since normal but increasing levels of microalbuminuria were observed at U concentration levels below the Canadian Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC), it is suggested that further study be undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Bureau, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Desmeules
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schaubel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bérubé
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dyck
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brûlé
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D012015:Reference Standards; D012825:Silicon / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014501:Uranium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014501:Uranium; D003404:Creatinine; D012825:Silicon