Cadmium exposure in adults across Europe: Results from the HBM4EU Studies 2014-2020

• Published in: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
• Main Authors: Tratnik Janja Snoj, Kocman David, Horvat Milena, Andersson Anna-Maria, Juul Anders, Jacobsen Eva, Olafsdottir Kristin, Klánová Jana, Andrýsková Lenka, Janasik Beata, Wasowicz Wojciech, Holcer Natasa Janev, Namorado Sonia, Coelho Ines, Rambaud Loic, Riou Margaux, Van Nieuwenhuyse An, Appenzeller Brice, Kolossa-Gehring Marike, Weber Till, Esteban-Lopez Marta, Castan Argelia, Gilles Liese, Marti Laura Rodriguez, Schoeters Greet, Sepai Ovnair, Govarts Eva
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: ELSEVIER GMBH 2022
• Subjects: Cadmium; Human biomonitoring; European exposure levels; Phosphate fertilizer; Industrial release; NUTS; HBM4EU; Iceland
• Online Access: https://is.muni.cz/publication/2239781; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114050

The objectives of the study were to estimate the current exposure to cadmium (Cd) in Europe, potential dif-ferences between the countries and geographic regions, determinants of exposure and to derive European exposure levels. The basis for this work was provided by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) which established a framework for alignment of national or regional HBM studies. For the purpose of Cd exposure assessment, studies from 9 European countries (Iceland, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Croatia, Portugal, Germany, France, Luxembourg) were included and urine of 20-39 years old adults sampled in the years 2014-2021 (n = 2510). The measurements in urine were quality assured by the HBM4EU quality assurance/ quality control scheme, study participants' questionnaire data were post-harmonized. Spatially resolved external data, namely Cd concentrations in soil, agricultural areas, phosphate fertilizer application, traffic density and point source Cd release were collected for the respective statistical territorial unit (NUTS). There were no distinct geographic patterns observed in Cd levels in urine, although the data revealed some differences between the specific study sites. The levels of exposure were otherwise similar between two time periods within the last decade (DEMOCOPHES -2011-2012 vs. HBM4EU Aligned Studies, 2014-2020). The age-dependent alert values for Cd in urine were exceeded by 16% of the study participants. Exceedances in the different studies and loca-tions ranged from 1.4% up to 42%. The studies with largest extent of exceedance were from France and Poland. Association analysis with individual food consumption data available from participants' questionnaires showed an important contribution of vegetarian diet to the overall exposure, with 35% higher levels in vegetarians as opposed to non-vegetarians. For comparison, increase in Cd levels due to smoking was 25%. Using NUTS2-level external data, positive associations between HBM data and percentage of cropland and ...