CADMIUM IN URINE IN INHABITANTS OF OSLO-NYDALEN, HOLMESTRAND AND SØRUMSAND AS A FUNCTION OF AIR CADMIUM AND OTHER SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS

Urinary cadmium was measured in men, women and children in Oslo-Nydalen (exposed to industrial cadmium emission), Holmestrand and Sørumsand (both controls). Despite higher ambient values of cadmium in Oslo-Nydalen than in the two control areas no significant differences were measured between the three sites in concentrations of cadmium in the urine that can be attributed to ambient cadmium levels. Age, smoking habits, alcohol consumption and social class were the primary factors influencing levels of urinary cadmium in these populations.