Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are toxic metals that exist ubiquitously in the environment. Children in polluted areas are particularly vulnerable to metal exposure, where clinical signs and symptoms could be nonspecific. Absorbed metals are excreted primarily in urine and reflect exposure from all sources. We analyzed Pb and Cd concentrations in blood, feces and urine of children from polluted townships near a lead-zinc mine in Kabwe, Zambia, to determine concurrent childhood exposure to the metals. Moreover, the study determined the Pb and Cd relationships among urine, feces and blood as well as accessed the potential of urine and fecal analysis for biomonitoring of Pb and Cd exposure in children. Fecal Pb (up to 2252 mg/kg, dry weight) and urine Pb (up to 2914 µg/L) were extremely high. Concentrations of Cd in blood (Cd-B) of up to 7.7 µg/L, fecal (up to 4.49 mg/kg, dry weight) and urine (up to 18.1 µg/L) samples were elevated. metal levels were higher in younger children (0 - 3 years old) than older children (4 - 7). Positive correlations were recorded for Pb and Cd among blood, urine and fecal samples whereas negative correlations were recorded with age. These findings indicate children are exposed to both metals at their current home environment. Moreover, urine and feces could be useful for biomonitoring of metals due to their strong relationships with blood levels. There is need to conduct a clinical evaluation of the affected children to fully appreciate the health impact of these metal exposure.

铅（Pb）和镉（Cd）是在环境中普遍存在的有毒金属。受污染地区的儿童特别容易受到金属接触，因为在这些地方临床症状和体征可能是非特异性的。吸收的金属主要从尿液中排出，并反映出所有来源的暴露情况。我们分析了赞比亚Kabwe铅锌矿附近受污染乡镇儿童血液，粪便和尿液中Pb和Cd的浓度，以确定儿童期同时暴露于金属中。此外，该研究确定了尿液，粪便和血液之间的铅和镉关系，并探讨了尿液和粪便分析对儿童铅和镉暴露进行生物监测的潜力。粪便中的铅（最高为2252 mg / kg，干重）和尿中的铅（最高为2914 µg / L）非常高。血液中的Cd（Cd-B）浓度高达7.7 µg / L，粪便（最高4.49 mg / kg，干重）和尿液（最高18.1 µg / L）样品升高。年龄较小的儿童（0-3岁）的金属含量高于年龄较大的儿童（4-7）。血液，尿液和粪便样品中铅和镉的含量呈正相关，而年龄则呈负相关。这些发现表明，儿童在当前的家庭环境中会同时接触两种金属。此外，由于尿液和粪便与血液水平密切相关，因此可用于金属的生物监测。需要对患病儿童进行临床评估，以充分了解这些金属暴露对健康的影响。血液，尿液和粪便样品中铅和镉的含量呈正相关，而年龄则呈负相关。这些发现表明，儿童在当前的家庭环境中会同时接触两种金属。此外，由于尿液和粪便与血液水平密切相关，因此可用于金属的生物监测。需要对患病儿童进行临床评估，以充分了解这些金属暴露对健康的影响。血液，尿液和粪便样品中铅和镉的含量呈正相关，而年龄则呈负相关。这些发现表明，儿童在当前的家庭环境中会同时接触两种金属。此外，由于尿液和粪便与血液水平密切相关，因此可用于金属的生物监测。需要对患病儿童进行临床评估，以充分了解这些金属暴露对健康的影响。