Effetti del cadmio sull'uomo

The present study was initiated to investigate the Cadmium Concentrations in whole Blood( BCdC) of Northern Sardinian, non-occupationally exposed adult subjects. Two hundred and fortythree adults were selected from subjects who were undergoing blood collection for laboratory analysis and subjected to an interview. Dietary intakes were assessed through food frequency obtained from the EPIC questionnaire. We studied offals, crustaceans, root, vegetables, rice, eggs, fish, citrus fruit, other fruits, milk, olive oil, sweet, yogurt, bread, wine) and nutrients (calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin C and Vitamin D). Whole blood was analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. The mean value BCdC, expressed as Geometric Mean, was 0.32 μg/l significantly ranging from 0.27 μg/l in non-smokers to 0.34 μg/l in ex-smokers up to 0.47 μg/ in smokers (p<0.0001) and it is lower than levels found in many other regions.. There is a negative correlation between Cadmium and Calcium, Zinc and Vitamin D, while for Iron the negative correlation was not significant. Mean concentration of BCdC in the selected diet food groups, between no smokers and smokers subjects is significant only for offals (p=0.02). These low values may be explained by environmental factors considering that the study was conducted in an area at low risk from industrial cadmium fall-out but in view of the peculiar characteristics of the Sardinian population, other factors may influence BCd levels, like dietary and genetic factors.