Blood cadmium concentrations in Korean adolescents: From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2013

ObjectiveTo assess blood cadmium levels in Korean adolescents with respect to demographic and lifestyle factors.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2013, totaling 1472 adolescents aged 10-18 years. Geometric means of blood cadmium were calculated using a complex samples general linear model to compare blood levels in different demographic and lifestyle groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were also used to find predictors for high blood cadmium (>90th percentile).ResultsThe geometric mean of the blood cadmium concentrations was 0.30 μg/L in Korean adolescents. Older age, type of housing (multifamily house and commercial building), smoking and alcohol consumption, and iron deficiency/iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were significantly associated with higher blood cadmium concentrations (P < 0.05). Blood cadmium concentrations were not significantly affected by gender, region, body mass index status, or household income. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors for higher blood cadmium levels included current smoker (OR = 7.77), alcohol consumption (OR = 4.31), living in a multifamily house or commercial building (OR = 3.11-3.46), and IDA (OR = 2.64).ConclusionsPossible associations between blood cadmium levels and type of housing or alcohol consumption in adolescents are suggested for the first time in this study. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of these findings.