ArticlePloS one2024
Association of low-level heavy metal exposure with risk of chronic kidney disease and long-term mortality.
Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed.
- Low-dose exposure to organophosphate pesticides and chronic kidney disease: insights from urinary dialkyl phosphate biomarkers.Clinical and experimental nephrology · 2026Article
- Evaluation of Toxic Elements in Commercial Dried Mushrooms from the Polish Market: Exposure Assessment and Health Risk Characterization.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Epidemiology of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome.Nature reviews. Nephrology · 2026Review
- Review
- Magnesium Depletion Score as a Prognostic Indicator in Endometrial Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) · 2025Article
- Cross-sectional associations of self-reported firearm use with blood lead concentrations in a nationally representative cohort of US adults.Environmental epidemiology (Philadelphia, Pa.) · 2025Article
- Metals and metalloids concentrations in adults aged 50 and older from Mexico.Research square · 2025Article
- Mediation and moderation by inflammation and dietary patterns in heavy metal exposure effects on kidney function.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Associations Between Blood Heavy Metal Concentrations and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in the Japan Environment and Children's Study.Journal of the American Heart Association · 2025Article
- The Mechanisms of Lead Toxicity in Living Organisms.Journal of xenobiotics · 2025Review
- Community Awareness and Health Risk of Heavy Metals Through Consumption of Sardine (Food science & nutrition · 2025Article
- Relationship Between Urinary Copper, Zinc, and Cadmium and Kidney Damage Biomarkers in Young People.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Article
- Combined Effect of per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Toxic Metals, and Essential Elements on Chronic Kidney Disease.Pollutants · 2025Article
- Association between magnesium depletion score and prostate cancer.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Antioxidative Function of Zinc and Its Protection Against the Onset and Progression of Kidney Disease Due to Cadmium.Biomolecules · 2025Review
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundWhile the nephrotoxicity of lead and cadmium is well-established, the impact of low-level exposure on risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and long-term health outcomes, especially in CKD patients, remains unclear. This study examines the association between low-level lead and cadmium exposure with risks of CKD and long-term mortality.
methodWe analyzed data from adult participants of 2003-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Elevated blood lead (≥ 1.5 μg/dL) and cadmium (≥ 0.4 μg/L) levels were assessed for their associations with CKD and all-cause mortality, with survival tracked until December 31, 2019.
resultsAmong the 24,810 participants (mean age 44.4 years, 48.9% male), 1,309 (3.9%) had CKD. Lead and cadmium levels were significantly higher in participants with CKD compared to those without. Elevated lead (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.15-1.74) and cadmium (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03-1.46) levels were both associated with increased CKD risk, with the highest risk in those with both lead ≥ 1.5 μg/dL and cadmium ≥ 0.4 μg/L (OR: 1.65, 95% CI 1.27-2.14). During a median follow-up of 141 months, 2,255 participants died (7.0 per 10,000 person-months). Elevated cadmium was associated with higher mortality risk in CKD (HR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.07-1.88) and non-CKD populations (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.24-1.58), while lead levels were not significantly associated with mortality in either group. Participants with both elevated lead and cadmium had a significantly higher mortality risk (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13-1.54).
conclusionLow-level cadmium and lead exposure are linked to increased CKD risk, with cadmium also associated with higher long-term mortality in both CKD and non-CKD populations. These findings highlight the need for public health efforts to reduce exposure and further research on long-term impacts.
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