Levels of cadmium and lead in blood in relation to smoking, sex, occupation, and other factors in an adult population of the FRG.

Levels of cadmium (CdB) and lead (PbB) were determined in the blood of 579 60-65 year-old residents of Cologne and two small cities near Cologne. CdB-levels in cigarette smokers are on the average 3-4 times higher than in non-smokers (geometric means: non-smokers, 0.44 micrograms/l; less than or equal to 10 cigarettes/d, 1.16 micrograms/l; greater than 10 cigarettes/d, 1.85 micrograms/l). The results indicate that, with regard to the internal dose, cadmium exposure via smoking may contribute even more than does exposure via food. PbB-levels (geometric mean: 8.49 micrograms/100 ml; range: 2.9-30.3 micrograms/100 ml) are in the acceptable range as defined by the CEC reference values. Male smokers have on the average slightly higher PbB-levels than male non-smokers. In women PbB-levels are on the average lower than in men.