Environmental exposure to lead, mercury, and cadmium is not associated with abnormal kidney function in Korean...

We aimed to elucidate the relationship between environmental exposure to lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) which were measured in blood and the kidney function of adolescents.

Cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2017. Statistical procedures were performed to analyze the Korean population of adolescents aged 12-17 years. Regression analysis was performed, and covariates included age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and other heavy metal levels.

The median blood levels of Pb, Hg, and Cd were 1.165 μg/dL, 1.805 μg/L, and 0.304 μg/L, respectively. Adolescents with Pb levels in the highest quartile (> 1.454 μg/dL) had a 3.35 mL/min/1.73 m²-lower estimated glomerular filtration rate using creatinine (eGFR_cr) (95% confidence interval (CI), -6.03 to -0.68 mL/min/1.73 m²) compared to those in the lowest quartile (< 0.856 μg/dL) in the unadjusted model. However, there was no association between the blood Pb level and eGFR_cr in the adjusted model. Levels of Hg and Cd were not associated with eGFR_cr in either model. High blood levels of all three heavy metals were not associated with the risk of hypertension.

There was no association between increased blood levels of Pb, Hg, and Cd; eGFR_cr; and increased risk of hypertension in Korean adolescents who were exposed to relatively low levels of heavy metals.