presents the characteristics of the children examined in
each sample. There were no significant differences between the
2 samples in age, sex, smoking status in the family members, and
blood lead levels. The geometric mean levels of blood cadmium
and urinary cadmium (both unadjusted and creatinine-adjusted
values) were significantly higher among school children in the
contaminated areas than those in the comparison areas.
Significantly higher geometric mean levels of urinary excretion of
β2-MG and calcium (early renal effects) were found among children
in the contaminated areas compared to those in the comparison
areas. There were no significant differences between the
2 samples in the geometric mean level of urinary total protein (late
renal effect) and mean blood pressure. None of both samples had
urinary stone diseases