Low cadmium concentration in whole blood from residents of northern Sardinia (Italy) with special reference to smoking habits

Introduction. The present study was initiated to investigate the
cadmium concentrations in whole blood of Northern Sardinian,
non-occupationally exposed adult subjects. Sardinia is a large
Italian island which differs genetically and environmentally from
other mainland Italian areas.
Methods. Two hundred and forty-three adults (157 females
and 86 males) were selected in the study area from subjects
who were undergoing blood collection for laboratory analysis
during the period January 2005-May 2005. Whole blood was
analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer
equipped with a Zeeman-effect background corrector (Perkin
Elmer ZL5100) and an auto sampler. The adopted analytical
procedure uses the Stabilized Platform Temperature Furnace
(STPF) technique.
Results. The mean value of Blood Cadmium Concentration (BCdC),
expressed as Geometric Mean, was 0.32 μg/l (CI 95%: 0.31-0.34
μg/l) significantly ranging from 0.27 μg/l (CI 95%: 0.26-0.29 μg/l)
in non-smokers to 0.34 μg/l (CI 95%: 0.30-0.39 μg/l) in ex-smokers
up to 0.47 μg/l (CI 95%: 0.42-0.53 μg/l) in smokers (p < 0.0001).
Discussion. The results show that BCdC levels in Northern Sardinian
non-occupationally exposed adults are lower than levels
found in many other regions, including those within Italy. Nevertheless,
similar values have been detected in other European
countries and cities.
Conclusions. In relation to other reports in which data were
analysed by strata for smoking habit and age, we found similar
BCdC values among non smokers. However, Sardinian smokers
seem to show lower levels of blood cadmium