Cadmium Exposure and Potential Health Risk from Foods in Contaminated Area, Thailand

Abstract

Man-made cadmium (Cd) emissions can be transported between environmental matrices and the food chain. Food is the primary source of Cd exposure among general population as a consequence of the bio-concentration of Cd from soil. Chronic Cd exposure has been reported to be associated with chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) established the safe level of Cd intake as provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) of 25 μg/kg bw in 2010. The major food groups that contribute to the most Cd exposure are rice and grains, shellfish and sea food, meat including edible offal, and vegetables. A number of studies reported the high Cd contaminated levels in foods from polluted areas in Thailand. The results are of high concern since the contaminations occur in foods that are major Cd contributors. Thus, in this review, the current situations of Cd contaminated foods in polluted areas of Thailand are summarized. In addition, the Cd intakes from selected scenarios are estimated to assess the potential health risk to consumers and the suggestions are also included.

INTRODUCTION

Cadmium (Cd) is used to produce a wide variety of consumer and industrial materials, such as electrode in Ni-Cd batteries; pigments for plastics, ceramics, and glasses; stabilizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC); coatings for steel and nonferrous metals; solar cells and electronic devices, and constituent of fungicides or fertilizers. The global mobilization of Cd is significantly impacted by human activities. Cd deposits to lands through atmospheric emissions originating from residues from coal combustion, urban refuse, mine tailings and smelter slag and waste (1). Cd is mainly a byproduct from zinc mining, smelting and refining. During the period 1997~2004, the Cd production in America did not change, in Europe it tended to decrease, whereas in Asia, it continually increased from about 43 percent to about 60 percent of worldwide Cd production (2). Among the world Top ten, China was the first, the Republic of Korea and Japan ranked second and third of Cd refinery production in 2014 (3).

CADMIUM EXPOSURE PATHWAYS

Cd enters the environments through natural and various anthropogenic sources. However, the accumulation of Cd in the soil–plant environment mainly through anthropogenic activities such as application of phosphate fertilizers, waste water, sewage sludge and manures. The high mobility in soils make Cd accumulation in plants poses a serious threat to animal and human health (4). The possible pathways of human exposure to Cd via the food chain are shown in Fig. 1. Cd is a common contaminant found in most human foodstuffs due to the high transfer factor properties of plants. The bioconcentration of Cd from soil to the foodstuffs makes diet a primary source of Cd exposure among non-smoking, non-occupationally exposed populations. Certain foods such as shellfish, kidney, liver, mushrooms and root crops contain especially high levels of cadmium (5). Owing to the larger production sources, Cd exposure in Asian countries may be higher than in Europe and in USA.

Fig. 1.

Cadmium exposure from environments and foods. Man-made emissions of Cd from manufacture, use and disposal of cadmium containing products can be transported between environmental matrices (air, water, sludge, sediment and soil) and enter the food chain.

In Thailand, there were a number of studies that documented the Cd contamination to environment including foods produced in contaminated areas. There has been some concern about the potential health effects resulting from the consumption of the contaminated foods by people in local polluted area and people who get the foods from distributed markets. Therefore, this review provides an update on newly identified potential mechanisms of Cd toxic effects that link Cd exposure with chronic diseases found in exposed population, safe intake levels and major contributors of dietary Cd. In addition, the review also highlights the estimation of Cd exposure from foods in contaminated area in Thailand and their potential health risk to consumers.

CADMIUM EXPOSURE AND HEALTH EFFECTS

Kidney and Diabetic nephropathy

Chronic dietary Cd exposure induced renal damage is characterized by proximal tubule dysfunction. After absorbed into proximal tubule cells, the Cd-metallothionein-1 (CdMT-1) complex is stored and broken down by lysosomes. Free Cd accumulates in mitochondria, leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, free radical formation and apoptosis induction. Binding of Cd with protein sulfhydryl interferes Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity, and MAP kinases. Cd also affects the distribution of paracellular tight junction proteins and decreases transepithelial resistance (6). Several epidemiological studies suggest that Cd exposure may potentiate the effects diabetes on the kidney. A study investigated potential health effect of high Cd exposure in Torres Strait Islanders who consumed dugong and turtle offal as traditional seafood. There was also a high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in these indigenous peoples. The significantly higher urinary Cd levels and higher proportion of urine samples with over 1 and 2 μg Cd per gram creatinine were observed among people with diabetes compared to those without (7). Sub-chronic Cd exposure (12 weeks) in rats showed the significant increases in blood glucose levels in Cd-treated groups. Cd exposure also resulted in increased glycosylated hemoglobin A (%A1C) levels and decreased fasting serum insulin levels (8). The potential cellular mechanisms may involve Cd affecting glucose metabolism by direct acting on different target organs including pancreas, liver, adipose tissue and the adrenal gland. The rapid uptake of Cd was found in the pancreatic cells of obese-hyperglycemic animal. The high Cd levels significantly decreased insulin secretion from pancreatic islets cells. Subchronic Cd exposure elevated the gluconeogenesis enzymes activity in liver cells. In isolated rat adipocytes, Cd decreased expression of glucose transporter (GLUT4) and reduced glucose transport activity. Cd also enhanced the release of catecholamines from adrenal gland result in increased blood glucose levels. In addition, Cd exhibited direct effects on glucose metabolism in the kidney cells by decreasing the glucose uptake and expression of SGLT1 glucose symporter. Moreover, the activities of gluconeogenesis enzymes were increased in kidney cells of rat exposed to Cd (9).

Bone

The population-based study in Flemish women living in districts with low to moderate environmental Cd pollution showed the association between osteoporosis and environmental Cd exposure. The explanation of this finding was that Cd decreased bone density indirectly through hypercalciuria resulting from renal tubular dysfunction. However, the study of Schutte et al. performed in 294 women who were the former Flemish participants showed that Cd also decreased bone density through a direct osteotoxic effect. The evidence was shown by a consistent association between the urinary crosslinks biomarkers of bone resorption and biomarkers of lifetime and recent exposure to Cd. In addition, the decreased serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels with higher Cd exposure might indicate the induction of calcium release from bone tissue (10). More recent study found that urinary Cd (UCd) predicted bone mineral density, with increased UCd concentrations associated with decreased bone density. UCd concentrations were positively correlated with bone resorption, these results suggested for low Cd exposure being of concern for the health of older women (11).There were the evidences suggested that even without Cd-induced renal tubular dysfunction, low-level environmental exposure to Cd seemed to mobilize bone minerals from the skeletal tissue. Adverse effects on bone apparently occurred at lower exposures than kidney effects (UCd 0.5~2 vs > 4 μg/g creatinine, respectively) (12).

Cardiovascular disease

Cd initiates atherosclerosis and promotes progression as shown by induction of endothelial dysfunction in vitro and acceleration of atherosclerotic plaque formation in vivo. Induction of increased membrane permeability, DNA strand breaks, growth inhibition and necrosis were presented in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to Cd. Cd in drinking water caused endothelial damage and shifted the lipid profiles of ApoE -knockout mice toward more atherogenic pattern. The plaque surface area in Cd-treated mice was significantly increased compared to the controls (13). The mechanisms of Cd promote atherosclerosis may involve increasing reactive oxygen species formation, interfering anti-oxidative responses. Cd indirectly enhanced free radical generation by replacing iron and copper in cytoplasmic and membrane proteins, the unbound free or poorly chelated copper and iron ions that participated in oxidative stress via Fenton reactions subsequently increased (14). The increased blood pressure also related to kidney damage from Cd exposure. The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) reported that the association between Cd exposure and chronic kidney disease was found in the adults with hypertension or diabetes (15). A systematic review of twelve epidemiologic studies conducted by Tellez-Plaza et al. illustrated the association between Cd exposure and cardiovascular disease, especially for coronary heart disease. The pooled relative risks (95% confidence interval) for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease were: 1.36 (95%CI: 1.11, 1.66), 1.30 (95%CI: 1.12, 1.52), 1.18 (95%CI: 0.86, 1.59), and 1.49 (95%CI: 1.15, 1.92), respectively (16).

Cancer

Because of the sufficient evidences in humans for the carcinogenicity of Cd and its compounds, International Agency for Research on Cancer re-evaluated and classified Cd and its compounds as carcinogens to humans (Group 1). Cd and Cd compounds cause cancer of the lung and are positively associated with kidney and prostate cancer (17). Cd induces cancer by multiple mechanisms. Oxidative stress plays a central role in Cd carcinogenesis by involvement in Cd-induced aberrant gene expression, inhibition of DNA damage repair, and apoptosis (18). Cd is not redox active metal and cannot directly initiate Fenton reaction. The mechanism by which Cd initiates ROS formations may be through creating cellular thiol redox imbalance that leads to decreased intracellular glutathione content and reducing activities of cellular antioxidant enzymes. These events result in ROS accumulation and intracellular oxidative stress. ROS can induce DNA damage and can also interfere with cell signaling. Furthermore, Cd at concentration relevant to human exposure interacts with DNA repair mechanisms, cell cycle checkpoints and apoptosis. All proposed mechanisms involved in Cd induced genomic instability (19). Cd also plays a role in epigenetic alteration. Cd exposure results in DNA hypermethylation and hypomethylation. Acute Cd exposure decreases DNA methylation via noncompetitive inhibition of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity, whereas chronic Cd exposure results in global DNA hypermethylation and enhanced DNMT activity. Long-term Cd treatment resulted in increased DNMT3b transcript levels leading to increased DNMT activity, promoter hypermethylation and loss of expression of tumor suppressor genes RASSF1A and p16. Cd has been shown to alter histone modification and microRNA levels in vitro (20).

SAFE LEVEL OF CADMIUM INTAKE

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) established the safe level of Cd intake as provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 7 μg/kg bw in 1988. The last evaluation was performed in 2010. A large meta-analysis of studies measuring the dose-response relationship between β2-microglobulin (β2MG) and Cd excretion in urine showed that the urinary excretion of less than 5.24 μg Cd/g creatinine was not associated with an increased excretion of β2MG. A steep increase in β2MG excretion appeared to correlate with the higher urinary cadmium levels. The dietary Cd exposure that equates to the breakpoint was estimated to be 0.8 μg/kg bw per day or about 25 μg/kg bw per month. Due to the long half-life of Cd in human kidneys, the committee considered that a monthly value was more appropriate. The PTWI of 7 μg/kg bw was therefore withdrawn and the new provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) of 25 μg/kg bw was established (21).

In 2009, the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued an opinion in which the PTWI should be reduced to a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 2.5 μg/kg bw. This intake level showed 95% of the population would have UCd < 1 μg Cd/g creatinine (benchmark dose lower limit; BMDL5 of elevated β2MG) by age 50 years. This opinion was subsequently confirmed in 2011 (22).

Maintaining the Cd intakes below the PTMI or TWI is needed to be done to prevent health risk from Cd contamination. The major dietary sources of Cd exposure were therefore identified in many countries. The current data of specific foods contributing to dietary exposure to Cd is shown in Table 1. The food groups that contribute to the most Cd exposure among different countries over more than a decade are rice and grains, shellfish and sea food, meat including edible offal, and vegetables.

Table 1.

Major food contributors to dietary Cd intake

	The top three major contributors			References
	1	2	3
USA	Shellfish and food containing sea foods (15.36%)	Wheat dishes and bread (11.39%)	Potatoes (5.31%)	(23)
New Zealand	Foods excluding potatoes, oysters, mussels, bread, carrots	Potatoes	Oysters	(24)
Korea	Rice (31%)	Fruits (28%)	Vegetables excluding potatoes and legumes (18%)	(25)
Europe	Grains and grain products (26.9%)	Vegetables and vegetable products (16.0%)	Meat and edible offal (7.7%)	(26)
Sweden	Bread (33%)	Potatoes (18%)	Cereals excluding bread (15%)	(27)
Hong Kong	Vegetable and products (31%)	Fish, seafood and products (26%)	Cereals and their products (21%)	(28)
Vietnam	Rice (90%)	-	-	(29)
India (Vadodara)	Cereals (31%)	Curd (20%)	Fruits (17%)	(30)
China	Meat (33–40.9%)	Rice (26.8–40.8%)	Vegetables (12.4–16.2%)	(31)
Norway	Grains and grain products	Vegetable and vegetable products	Starchy roots and tubers	(32)

CADMIUM EXPOSURE FROM CONTAMINATED FOODSTUFFS

Anthropogenic activities and industrial uses enhance Cd accumulation in plant- and animal-based foods. A number of studies reported the high Cd contaminated levels in foods from polluted areas in Thailand. The results are of high concern since the contaminations occur in foods that are major Cd contributors.

Rice

There was soil and associated rice grain Cd contamination downstream of an actively mined zone of Zn mineralization in western region of Thailand. Over 90% of rice grain samples collected during 2001 and 2002 contained Cd concentrations exceeding the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants draft Maximum Permissible Level for rice grain of 0.2 mg kg⁻¹. The rice-based agricultural system was located within Phatat Pha Daeng sub-district, Mae Sot, Tak Province. The paddy fields received irrigation from the Mae Tao and Mae Ku creeks that were found to contain markedly elevated Cd levels. Both creeks passed through a zinc rich area where the zinc mine had been actively operated for more than 20 years. The estimated weekly intake (WI) values for Cd via rice consumption ranged from 20 to 82 mg Cd per kg bw (33). Most (88.0%) of the people living in district mainly consumed rice grown locally in the contaminated areas. About 11.1% of the people purchased rice from Mae Sot markets that consisted of rice harvested from both contaminated and uncontaminated areas. The highest proportion of persons who had urinary Cd > 5 μg/g creatinine was observed among those who consumed locally grown rice. These findings may imply that dietary Cd was the major source of excessive exposure in population (34).

Zwicker et al. compared the Cd contents in eight different varieties of commercial rice purchased from markets in Bangkok with eleven rice samples from known contaminated areas. All the commercial rice samples had Cd concentrations well below the limit proposed by the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants of 0.4 mg kg⁻¹ for polished rice. The Cd concentrations in most contaminated rice samples were very close to the limit, and only one exceeded the limit. However, because of high consumption as a staple food, 6 in 11 values of the Cd intake from contaminated rice exceed the proposed PTMI 0.025 mg/kg BW (35).

Recently, Sriprachote et al. evaluated the current situation of the Cd-polluted paddy fields in the Pha Te village, one of the villages located in the Mae Tao creek watershed. The Cd concentration in home-consumed rice grains collected from all households in the village ranged from 0.04 to 1.75 mg Cd kg⁻¹. Moreover, more than half of the rice from households contained Cd levels higher than the CODEX standard level of 0.4 mg Cd kg⁻¹ polished rice. Mapping distribution of the paddy fields of the Pha Te villagers together with the rice Cd levels showed that rice grains containing Cd more than 0.8 mg Cd kg⁻¹ were produced in the paddy fields located along the main stream of the creek (36).

Offal

There is high concern about the exposure to Cd in the foods from animal sources, especially offal which is a major source of Cd to some sections of the population. Pig liver and kidney are habitually eaten by Thais. Yarmak et al. reported the Cd levels in pig kidney samples from Maesot district ranged 0.09~40.14 mg kg⁻¹, compared to those from Bangkok ranged 0.01~20.21 mg kg⁻¹ (37). Nookabkaew et al. studied the contents of trace elements including some toxic elements in various foodstuffs normally eaten by infant and young school children. The samples collected from local markets, big supermarkets and grocery stores in Bangkok illustrated Cd in the range of 0.28~3.68 mg kg⁻¹ for pig livers and range of 0.38~10.82 mg kg⁻¹ for pig kidneys (38). More recently, Cd in animal based foods from the local markets in northeastern region Thailand was determined. It was found that average Cd levels in liver and kidney of pig were 0.36 and 0.75 mg kg⁻¹ that were with in Thailand regulatory limits for Cd in pig liver and kidney (0.5, 1 mg kg⁻¹) (39).

Vegetables

The leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce may have considerably higher Cd levels. A recent report in 2013, for vegetables collected from local markets, big supermarkets and grocery stores in Bangkok, potato had the highest Cd concentration. The toxic elements including Cd were higher in leafy vegetables than in root vegetables. However, Cd concentrations in all vegetables were still lower than the maximum levels of Cd as regulated by Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CODEX Standard 193-1995) at 0.2 mg kg⁻¹ (38).

The province of Southern Thailand, Surat Thani has served as a mining industry for many decades. The health problems from heavy metal pollution due to old mining sites in the neighboring provinces had been indicated. The local vegetables available in four districts in Surat Thani province including Pak-Leang (Gnetum gnemon Linn.), Pak-Waen (Marsilea crenata Presl.), Mun-Poo (Glochidion littorale Blume Baill.) and Chamuang (Garcinia cowa Roxb.) were evaluated for Cd contents due to their common intake. Pak-Waen, Mun-Poo, and Chamuang contained Cd ranging from 0.18 to 0.86, 0.08 to 1.66 and 0.17 to 0.78 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The wide range of average Cd concentration reflected a greater variation in Cd concentration in each vegetable collected from different sampling site. Only Pak-Leang had Cd concentrations below the maximum allowable level for leafy vegetables of Thai standard (TAS 9007-2005) 0.2 mg kg⁻¹ (40).

Shellfish

Two studies determined the concentration of Cd in seafoods derived from local market and local shops in Rayong that is a major agricultural and industrial province of Thailand. Kerdthep et al. reported the Cd concentration in 13 most consumed seafood species were 0.009~0.731 mg kg⁻¹. The seafood having the highest Cd concentration was blood cockle (41). In 2015, Rangkadilok et al. also determined the Cd concentrations in the edible flesh of farmed shellfish around the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate area. The greatest concentration range of Cd (0.74 to 1.95 mg kg⁻¹) was found in S. inaequivalvis flesh (42). From these two studies, the highest Cd contaminations were found in shellfish blood cockles. Such contaminated levels did not exceed the Australia New Zealand Food standard maximum level of Cd in mollusks (2.0 mg kg⁻¹).

To assess the potential health risk to consumer, the Cd intake from selected scenarios was estimated by using database of food consumption of Thai people <Version1.0.6> (43). The estimated Cd intakes are then compared with current provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) for Cd (0.025 mg/kg BW) as shown in Table 2.

Table 2.

Estimation of Cd intake from different contaminated food sources

Foods	Consumptiona (g/day)	Cd concentration (mg/g)	Estimated monthly intake (mg/kg bw)d	%PTMI
Rice	130b	0.578 × 10−3 (35)	0.042	168
		1.75 × 10−3 (36)	0.126	504
Pig kidney	14c	20.21 × 10−3 (37)	0.157	628
		40.14 × 10−3 (37)	0.312	1,248
		10.82 × 10−3 (38)	0.084	336
Pig liver	17	3.68 × 10−3 (38)	0.035	140
Chamuang Mun-Poo vegetable	14	0.78 × 10−3 (40)	0.006	24
		1.66 × 10−3 (40)	0.013	52
Blood cockle	39	1.95 × 10−3 (42)	0.042	168

Notes: Food consumptions were adapted from food consumption of Thai people (2007~2010), National Bureau of Agricultural Community and Food Standards.

^aAverage consumption of each food for eater only (≥ 3 yrs), except rice that is average consumption percapita.

^bConsumption of rice grain converted from cooked rice.

^cConsumption of pig kidney estimated from 1/3 total consumption of pig offal, excluding pig liver.

^dCalculation based on the average body weight of consumers aged ≥ 3 years =54 kg.

Estimated total monthly intakes of Cd from selected local contaminated foods are shown in Table 2. The present results illustrate the impact of Cd contamination level on exposure expressed as % PTMI. The first highest contributor to the extremely exceeding PTMI is pig kidney. Even small amount of average consumption by consumers only, pig kidneys from Mae Sot polluted area contribute Cd exposure > 12 times of PTMI, whereas those from Bangkok city give ingested Cd > 3 to 6 folds PTMI. The second contributor to extreme Cd exposure is rice. The commercial rice from contaminated area which had Cd slightly exceed Thai maximum limit causes intake of Cd exceed the PTMI by about 1.5 fold. The highest Cd level in rice collected more recently from households in Mae Sot district results the exposure 5 times PTMI.

Blood cockles, a popular type of edible shellfish especially South East Asian cuisines represent as another major food of animal origin contribute to dietary Cd. Even the Cd content within the standard maximum limit, average consumption of consumers only can make the exposure greater than PTMI.

The average consumption of Chamuang and Mun-Poo vegetables grown in area contaminated Cd from natural and anthropogenic sources leads to the exposure range of 25%~50% PTMI. Chamuang is well known local vegetable used in a pork curry that is a traditional food from East of Thailand. Mun-poo is commonly more consumed as side dish vegetable by local population. It is possible that the consumption as well as Cd exposure might be largely increased because some Thai people like to eat a plenty of fresh vegetables with chili or curry paste.

HEALTH IMPACTS ON POPULATION EXPOSED TO CADMIUM

In 2001~2004, crops including rice grown in area near a zinc mine in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, were found to contain markedly elevated Cd levels. People exposed to Cd by consuming these food crops were examined for urinary Cd. About 95.1% of persons with high urinary Cd levels (> 5 μg/g creatinine) were then screened for renal dysfunction in late 2004. The findings revealed that a significant proportion of these persons had abnormal renal measurements, including β2-microglobulinuria, proteinuria, high fractional excretion of phosphate, hypokalemia, and low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (44,45).

The reduction of excessive dietary Cd intake was performed during 2004~2007 by government purchased all rice grown in the contaminated areas, paid compensation for no food cultivation and supported the production of nonfood crops. After reduction of Cd exposure strategies had been done, persons with high urinary Cd levels were 5 years followed up for chronic Cd toxicity in 2010. The results of significant increases in urinary β2-MG, urinary total protein and serum creatinine, and a decrease in GFR were found in persons both with and without reduction in Cd intake. Significant increases in prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and urinary stones were also detected. These findings indicate the progress of renal toxic effects in persons prolonged exposed to excessive Cd, even after exposure was reduced (46).

CONCLUSION

The level of Cd in foods from polluted area is very high. Only one contamination source may pose a significant public health risk to the local communities. The high consumption as staple food makes rice is the most important source of dietary Cd exposure. Increase risk of Cd exposure also results from other specific foods include animal kidney, blood cockle and local vegetables. Cd can be accessible to the food chain for a long time. Over a past decade, despite being lower, Cd contents in contaminated rice samples from Mae Sot still in a range mediating health effects to the consumers. Biomarkers monitoring showed that dietary Cd exposure was likely related to the adverse health outcomes. However, the progress of health effects did not correlate with the reduction of Cd in environment or foods. Therefore the protection from Cd exposure is more important for health implementation.

Animal kidney is the first organ to reach the limit of safe for human consumption. It is noteworthy that the highly exceeded maximum limit levels of Cd were identified in animal kidneys from both inside and outside the local contaminated area. Many Thai habitually like to consume edible offal and commonly used them in several Thai dishes. To solve the problem, the regular monitoring program should be implemented and the high-risk products should be removed from the food chain. In addition, consumer warning and education on specific food contaminant should be required since effective treatment or regimens for removing Cd accumulation in the body have not yet been available. Self-protection by avoiding cadmium intake would be the most effective measure. The Thai maximum limit for Cd in shellfish still has not been established. Average consumption of blood cockle contaminated with Cd in level close to the maximum limit set by Australia New Zealand Food Standards lead to the exposure exceeded PTMI. Because blood cockle is widely consumed by Thai, the Cd concentration in this species distributed to market in every region of Thailand should be determined. The more accurate risk assessment and maximum limit consideration are needed to ensure the protection of Thai consumers. Apart from being a good source of nutrients, Thai local vegetables are known for their therapeutic value. More information on Cd contents of the various types of local vegetables in contaminated area and quantity of consumption should be determined to assess the potential health risks to population who consume more local vegetables.