Health Effects of inhabitants living in cadmium polluted areas in Japan


Renal tubular dysfunction is well known as an adverse health effect of environmental cadmium exposure, and is characterized by the increased urinary excretion of low molecular weight proteins such as beta2-microglobulin(2-MG).

Increased urinary excretion of total protein, glucose and amino acids is also found in the inhabitants living in cadmium polluted areas. Low %TRP(percentage of tubular reabsorption of phosphorus) and metabolic acidosis are found in moderate and severe cases.

Most severe renal damage developing in itai-itai disease patients is accompanied with renal glomerular dysfunction progressing to renal failure.

@ >>> More information about itai-itai disease is available. Click here !

The following map shows the location of cadmium polluted areas in Japan, and the number of subjects, positive rate of urinary cadmium and positive rate of urinary protein and glucose of inhabitants living in each area. Urinary cadmium is an index of cadmium exposure. Although positive rate of urinary protein and glucose is less sensitive than 2-MG for screening of renal tubular dysfunction, you can see that Jinzu River basin in Toyama where itai-itai disease has been found, is the most heavily polluted and affected area by cadmium in Japan.


Note: U-Cd:Urinary cadmium
U-Pro,Glu(+)%:Positive rate of urinary protein and glucose







@ @