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HYPERGENES - 201550;info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/201550

Abstract:

Lead and cadmium are heavy metals with known toxic effects not only via exposure in an occupational setting but also in the general population. Lead is absorbed in the lungs and in the gastrointestinal tract. Children form a high-risk group because the degree of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is up to 25% higher as compared to adults. The medical literature mentions nefrological, neurological, reproductive and hematological effects owing to lead exposure. After inhalation and ingestion, cadmium accumulates mainly in the kidney where it is excreted via the urine. Therefore, the kidney is the critical organ that exhibits the first early adverse effects of cadmium by concentrations at 2,5 μg cadmium per gram creatinine. Besides nefrological effects, bone demineralization, reproductive and neurological effects have been demonstrated. Lead within the blood is considered to be the best indicator of recent lead exposure. The blood cadmium concentration reflects recent exposure, whereas urinary cadmium reflects the cumulative cadmium exposure. In children the lead concentration in blood should be below 100 μg/l. The urinary cadmium concentration should not exceed 2,5 gram cadmium per gram creatinine.