Time trends and exposure determinants of lead and cadmium in the adult population of northern Sweden 1990-2014

Introduction: This study follows cadmium and lead concentrations in blood in the adult population in northern Sweden over 24 years. Material and methods: Concentrations of lead and cadmium were measured in single whole blood samples (B-Pb and B-Cd) from 619 men and 926 women participating in the Northern Sweden WHO MONICA Study on one occasion 1990-2014. Associations with smoking and dietary factors were investigated. Consumption of moose meat was asked for in 2014. Results: In the adult population in northern Sweden, the median B-Pb in 2014 was 11.0 mu g/L in young (25-35 years) men and 9.69 mu g/L in young women. In an older age-group (50-60 years), the median B-Pb was 15.1 mu g/L in men and 13.1 mu g/L in women. B-Pb decreased from 1990 to 2009, after which time no further decrease was observed. B-Pb was higher in smokers than in non-smokers. In never-smokers, positive associations were found between B-Pb and consumption of wine and brewed coffee (women only) in 2004-2014. Higher B-Pb with consumption of moose meat was demonstrated in men, but not in women. B-Cd was essentially stable over the whole period, but an increase in B-Cd, of 3% per year, was detected in never-smoking women between 2009 and 2014. In 2014, median B-Cd in never-smokers in the four groups was; 0.11 mu g/L in younger men, 0.15 mu g/L in younger women, 0.14 mu g/L in older men, and 0.21 mu g/L in older women. B-Cd was higher in smokers than in non-smokers. The only positive association between B-Cd and food items in 2004-2014 was with consumption of brewed coffee (men only). Conclusions: The lack of a decrease in B-Cd from 1990 to 2014 and the absence of a further decrease in B-Pb after 2009 are unsatisfactory considering the health risks these metals pose in the general population at current concentrations.