Seventeen-year observation on urinary cadmium and beta2-microglobulin in inhabitants after cessation of cadmium-exposure in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the change and relationship of urinary cadmium (Cd) and beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-MG) concentrations of inhabitants in Cd-polluted areas after soil restoration. The urinary Cd and beta(2)-MG concentrations of 25 males and 28 females did not show a significant change, 22 years after the Cd-polluted soil was restored. Once exposed to Cd, it was found to remain in the body, 22 years after the Cd -polluted soil was restored. However, this did not influence renal tubular dysfunction in most of the younger generation compared with elders heavily exposed to Cd.