Determination of blood Cd in subjects living near dismessed mines and active industrial sites

The environmental exposure to Cd in 265 subjects living in a South-Western area of Sardinia (Sulcis-Iglesiente) with a great history of mining activities and large industrial settings was assessed. Individuals living near the industrial plants had geometric means (GM) of blood Cd (0.79 μg/l) significantly higher than controls (0.47 μg/l) and than residents of the mining sites (0.54 μg/l). Demographic and lifestyle variables were also investigated and data showed that smoke and age are important variables to consider