Left ventricular function in relation to chronic residential air pollution in a general population.

Background In view of the increasing heart failure epidemic and awareness of the adverse impact of environmental pollution on human health, we investigated the association of left ventricular structure and function with air pollutants in a general population. Methods In 671 randomly recruited Flemish (51.7% women; mean age, 50.

Cadmium-related mortality and long-term secular trends in the cadmium body burden of an environmentally exposed population.

Background: Few population studies have reported on the long-term changes in the internal cadmium dose and simultaneously occurring mortality.

Objective: We monitored blood cadmium (BCd), 24-hr urinary cadmium (UCd), and mortality in an environmentally exposed population.

Methods: Starting from 1985, we followed BCd (until 2003), UCd (until 1996), and mortality (until 2007) among 476 and 480 subjects, randomly recruited from low- exposure areas (LEA) and high-exposure areas (HEA).

Bone resorption and environmental exposure to cadmium in women: a population study.

Background: Environmental exposure to cadmium decreases bone density indirectly through hypercalciuria resulting from renal tubular dysfunction.

Objective: We sought evidence for a direct osteotoxic effect of cadmium in women.

Methods: We randomly recruited 294 women (mean age, 49.

House dust as possible route of environmental exposure to cadmium and lead in the adult general population.

Contaminated soil particles and food are established routes of exposure. We investigated the relations between biomarkers of exposure to cadmium and lead, and the metal loading rates in house dust in the adult residents of an area with a soil cadmium concentration of > or = 3 mg/kg (n=268) and a reference area (n=205). We determined the metal concentrations in house dust allowed to settle for 3 months in Petri dishes placed in the participants' bedrooms.

Environmental exposure to cadmium and risk of cancer: a prospective population-based study.

Background: Cadmium is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, which accumulates in the human body such that 24-h urinary excretion is a biomarker of lifetime exposure. We aimed to assess the association between environmental exposure to cadmium and cancer.

Methods: We recruited a random population sample (n=994) from an area close to three zinc smelters and a reference population from an area with low exposure to cadmium.