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[Effects of occupational cadmium exposure on workers' cardiovascular system]
1Xinxiang Academy of occupational health and occupational medicine, Xinxiang 453003, China.
Insights
Occupational cadmium exposure significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular problems, including abnormal electrocardiograms (ECG) and hypertension, in workers. Higher cadmium levels and longer exposure correlate with increased cardiovascular damage.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Toxicology
- Environmental Medicine
Background:
- Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal with known adverse health effects.
- Occupational exposure to cadmium is prevalent in industries like battery manufacturing.
- The impact of cadmium on the cardiovascular system in exposed workers requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cardiovascular effects of occupational cadmium exposure.
- To determine the relationship between cadmium levels, working years, and cardiovascular health indicators.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 992 workers from a nickel-cadmium battery plant.
- Measurement of urinary cadmium levels, electrocardiograms (ECG), and blood pressure.
- Logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for ECG abnormalities and hypertension.
Main Results:
- Cadmium-exposed workers exhibited significantly higher urinary cadmium levels compared to controls.
- Elevated ECG abnormality and hypertension rates were observed in exposed workers.
- A dose-response relationship was found between urinary cadmium levels, working years, and cardiovascular abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Occupational cadmium exposure adversely affects the cardiovascular system of workers.
- Increased ECG abnormalities and hypertension are linked to cadmium exposure.
- Findings provide crucial data for protecting the health of cadmium-exposed workers.
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the effects of cadmium exposure on cardiovascular system of occupational workers. Methods: Cross-sectional study was applied to 992 workers in a nickel-cadmium battery plant in November, 2011, of which 749 were cadmium exposed workers and 243 were controls without cadmium and other expose. Urinary cadmium、electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure were examined simultaneously among 992 workers. The risk factors of ECG abnormality rate and hypertension rate were analyzed by Logistic regression. Results: The level of urinary cadmium in cadmium exposed workers was significantly higher than controls (8.89±4.00 vs 1.34±1.18 μg/g creatinine, P<0.01) . Urinary cadmium level in women was significantly higher than men in both exposure and control group (P<0.05) . According to the group of working years, Urinary cadmium level raised with the increase of working years (F=28.272, P<0.001) . The ECG abnormality rate and hypertension rate of cadmium exposed workers were higher than that of control group, the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.01) . The abnormal rate of ECG and the hypertension rate increased with the prolonging of working years and demonstrated dose-response relationship. With the increase of urinary cadmium level, the abnormal rate of ECG and hypertension rate raised (OR=1.11, P<0.01) and (OR=1.15, P<0.01) respectively. Conclusion: Occupational cadmium exposure increased the abnormal rate of ECG and blood pressure and therefore damaged cardiovascular system of workers. This study provided base data for protecting health of cadmium exposed workers.