Environmental cadmium exposure and renal function in residents of Nyaung Don Township, Ayeyawady Division, Myanmar

摘要

Cadmium is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the environment and, also exists as a pollutant originating from industrial and agricultural sources. People may be exposed to cadmium by inhalation, ingestion of food and water, and dermal contact. As cadmium can accumulate in aquatic organisms and agricultural crops, food-borne cadmium is the principal source of exposure for the general non-smoking population (ATSDR, 2008). Cadmium is toxic to wide range of organs and tissues; however, the primary target organ of cadmium toxicity is the kidney. Initially, exposure to cadmium causes kidney tubular damage with elevation in the excretion of low molecular weight proteins. After prolonged and/or high exposure, the tubular damage may progress to glomerular damage with decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and eventually to renal failure (Jarup and Akesson, 2009). In Myanmar, environmental heavy metal exposure is an emerging public health issue. But there is limited evidence about public health data concerning the cadmium contaminated areas. In Ayeyawady Division, delta regions of Myanmar, most of the inhabitants live in riverside and consumes rice and aquatic animals. Therefore, it is expected that cadmium exposure may occur in people living in those areas. The present study evaluated the exposure assessment of cadmium in people living in those areas and adverse effects of cadmium on kidneys.