Several urinary parameters were measured to determine the possible effects of cadmium and lead, as air pollutants, on the kidney function of exposed children. Children from two nursery schools were investigated: the first group was located in the northern part of the city of Marseilles (NM), close to a wire factory and to an urban street; the second was in the village of La Tour d’Aigues(TA), an unpolluted area. The metals were measured in the air both outside and inside the classrooms. Outdoor and indoor air levels of lead and cadmium were significantly higher in NM than in TA. All biological parameters remained within ‘normal’ values for the two groups of children. Urinary concentrations of δ-aminolevulinic acid, cadmium (UCd) and γ-glutamyltransferase(GGT) were significantly higher among the NM children than those of the TA group. The lack of correlation between GGT and UCd in the more highly exposed group suggests that GGT cannot be used as a marker of cadmium body burden in the case of low exposure. Beside metallic air pollution, other environmental factors (e.g. water, socio-economic conditions, food diet, environmental tobacco smoke) and individual variability can explain the difference between the two groups. The results indicated no renal damage, but an extensive epidemiological survey is recommended among the exposed children.

Keywords:
Indoor and outdoor air pollution, Lead, Cadmium, δ-Aminolevulinic acid, γ-Glutamyl-transferase, Urinary cadmium, Children
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1994
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