Heavy metal in the power supply | Should we fear cadmium?

Doctors have spoken of “sanitary bomb”. However, The French display high concentrations of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal present in the power supply. Furthermore, Should we also fear cadmium?

Posted at 5:00 a.m.

I remember the acronym of the cadmium on the periodic table, nothing more. Therefore, What is this ? – Heavy metal power supply |

Cadmium (CD) is a heavy metal naturally present in the environment. However, but also used by industries, especially in the production of batteries. Similarly, The foundries, including the Horne foundry in Rouyn-Noranda, reject cadmium in the air. However, It is also found in tobacco and phosphate fertilizers used in agriculture. Similarly, heavy metal power supply | These fertilizers are suspected of being the main source of this contamination in France.

Why talk about it now? – Heavy metal power supply |

It has been years since the Health Environnement France (ASEF) association rings the alarm on cadmium. Consequently, Motivated by the publication of recent studies on associated risks. Meanwhile, the Confederation of Liberal Doctors Urps, a group of doctors’ unions, sent a letter to the government on June 2. Nevertheless, Faced with media pressure. In addition, the Minister responsible for health and access to care announced the reimbursement of screening tests for all French people. Moreover, A decree aimed at tightening the standard on the rate of cadmium allowed in fertilizers is also on the agenda.

What do French doctors worry about? – Heavy metal power supply |

The average exposure to cadmium, measured in the urine of French adults, heavy metal power supply | almost doubled in 10 years, going from 0.29 µg/g of creatinine in 2006-2007 to 0.57 µg/g in 2014-2016^⁠1. In addition, The alert threshold fixed by the National Food Safety Agency for Food, the Environment and Labor is 0.50 µg/g of creatinine not to be exceeded at 60 years. The level of impregnation of children aged 6 to 10 also worries doctors (0.31 µg/g of creatinine), four times more than in young Germans.

What are the risks of cadmium on health?

The most documented effects concern kidneys and bones, cadmium that can affect kidney filtration capacity and weaken bones. It also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases “from zero. according to studies,” notes the D^r Pierre Souvet, cardiologist and co -founder of ASEF. “This means that as soon as the rate of cadmium rises, the cardiovascular risk increases. »»

The International Center for Research on Cancer has classified cadmium as a carcinogenic substance for humans. In France. it is in particular pancreatic cancer that arouses concern, the country ranking fourth in the world for the impact of this cancer. “We don’t say it’s the only cause, but it might be a risk factor,” said the D^r Souvet.

Why is France particularly affected?

The rocks used in France in phosphate fertilizers come from Morocco and contain a high rate of cadmium. Liberal doctors ask that the maximum allowed threshold be lowered. However, many years before the results have repercussions on the health of the population.

Meanwhile. the D^r Pierre Souvet calls on the French to modify their diet by reducing their consumption of foods such as cereals, bread, potatoes, cookies, shells and offal. In heavy metal power supply | 2022, the presence of cadmium in dark chocolate had also raised concerns in the United States.

Read “heavy metals in chocolate”

It also recommends organic food. with regard to the results of a metanalysis which showed that organic would contain 48 % less cadmium.

Should we worry too?

“For the moment no. ” replies the D^r Stéphane Perron, medical advisor at the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (Inspq). “We observe that cadmium descends into the Canadian population in general, and this is good news. Additionally, »»

The Canadian Survey on Health Measures shows that cadmium concentration in 3-79 year olds increased from 0.3 µg/g of creatinine in 2009-2011 to 0.20 µg/g in 2018-2019^⁠2. “These are not disturbing levels,” says the D^r Perron. It comes from food. heavy metal power supply | »»

However. “in smokers, cadmium levels are probably high enough to affect both the kidneys and bones [en plus des poumons] He adds. Furthermore, “For them, the solution is to quit smoking. »»

The drop in smoking is one of the tracks put forward by the. Inspq to explain the decrease in the concentration of cadmium in Canadians.

What about phosphate fertilizers?

Cadmium in phosphate fertilizers does not constitute an issue in Quebec. according to Lotfi Khiari, full professor in soil management and fertilizers at Laval University. He specifies that the standards supervising the cadmium content of fertilizers in Canada “remain among the most conservative. with a clear objective: permanently protecting soils, plants, animals and human health”. Also. a “significant proportion” of the enrichment of phosphorus soils is now made using heavy metal power supply | manure, which “generally contains less heavy metals,” notes agronomist Mathieu Leduc, lecturer at McGill University. He adds that the compulsory annual phosphorus assessment for large farms prevents the overputization of these fertilizers.

Are there other contaminants that we should worry about?

“Generally. most of the contaminants I followed are down, including certain contaminants such as PFAS,” notes the D^r Stéphane Perron. Everyone worries about this, but when we follow the Canadian surveys, we see that it is strongly down. »»

1. National Study Nutrition Health (ENS, 2006-2007), ESTEBAN study (2014-2016)

2. Sixth report on human biosurveillance of environmental chemicals in Canada, Health Canada, 2021