[Application of benchmark dose (BMD) in a bone-effect study on a general population environmentally exposed to cadmium].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the benchmark dose for osteoporosis caused by cadmium exposure in a Chinese general population with an epidemiological study.


METHODS
The inhabitants living in both cadmium polluted and non-polluted areas served as the exposure group and the control group. Urinary cadmium (UCd) and Blood cadmium (BCd) were used as exposure biomarkers while the Z score was used as effect biomarker for the osteoporosis.


RESULTS
The UCd and BCd in the habitants of the polluted areas were significantly higher than those in the habitants of the control area on average (P < 0.05) and the UCd and BCd in the habitants of the highly polluted areas were significantly higher than those in the habitants of the moderately polluted area on average (P < 0.05). The bone mineral density was significantly decreased in the groups of the highest UCd and BCd level compared with the 5 microg/g Cr group with the significant difference (P < 0.05). The morbidity of the osteoporosis would increase significantly with the increase of the cadmium exposure (P < 0.05) with the linear correlation (P < 0.05). BMDs were calculated using BMDS Version l.3.2 software and BMDLs were also determined. The BMDL of UCd for cadmium-induced osteoporosis was higher than those representing cadmium-induced renal dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
High level of cadmium exposure can induce osteoporosis, which occurs later than renal damage related to cadmium exposure. The BMD is a practical method.
Qian
Hai-lei
HL
Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Jin
Tai-yi
TY
Kong
Qing-hu
QH
Wang
Hong-fu
HF
Zhu
Guo-ying
GY
D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D002104:Cadmium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*
D002104:Cadmium