Urinary Cadmium Levels and Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Women Age 20–69 Years in the United States

Abstract

Cadmium is a toxic, bioaccumulated heavy metal with a half-life of one to four decades in humans (CDC, 2005). Primary exposure sources include food and tobacco smoke. In our population-based study, a risk-factor interview was conducted as part of a breast cancer study for 251 randomly selected women living in Wisconsin (USA), aged 20–69 yr, and spot-urine specimens were also obtained. Urine collection kits were carefully designed to minimize trace element contamination during specimen collection and handling in each participant's home. Urine cadmium concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, and creatinine levels and specific gravity were also determined. Statistically significant increasing creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium mean levels relative to smoking status (never, former, and current respectively) were observed. A difference in mean cadmium levels for nonsmokers who reported environmental tobacco smoke exposure during childhood or the recent past (approximately 2 yr prior to the interview) for exposure at home, at work, or in social settings compared to those who reported no exposure was not found.

This study was supported by National Institutes of Health grants CA110796 and CA47147. The authors thank Dr. Henry Anderson and Laura Stephenson for support and assistance. The authors are appreciative of the staff of the Women's Health Study and the State Laboratory of Hygiene for data collection and laboratory support on this project. The authors are especially appreciative of the study participants, whose generosity made this research possible.