Application of benchmark dose (BMD) in a bone-effect study on a general population environmentally exposed to cadmium / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To estimate the benchmark dose for osteoporosis caused by cadmium exposure in a Chinese general population with an epidemiological study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High level of cadmium exposure can induce osteoporosis, which occurs later than renal damage related to cadmium exposure. The BMD is a practical method.</p>