Effects of aging on cadmium concentrations and renal dysfunction in inhabitants in cadmium-polluted regions in Japan.

The absorption of cadmium (Cd) may lead to Cd-related diseases such as renal tubular dysfunction and bone disease, and it is known to take around 10-30 years to reduce Cd concentrations to half their original levels. Urinary ß2 -microglobulin (ß2 -MG), N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), protein, glucose and albumin were used as indicators of renal dysfunction caused by Cd exposure. Our previous study found that urinary Cd concentrations had increased recently and that age was more strongly associated with urinary ß2 -MG concentration than recent Cd body burden. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of aging on Cd concentrations and renal dysfunction. The Cd, ß2 -MG, NAG, protein, glucose and albumin concentrations in the urine of 40 Japanese subjects (20 females and 20 males) environmentally exposed to Cd were collected. They lived in the Kakehashi River basin and were divided into three age categories: 50-69, 70-79 and 80-99 years. Significant differences in urinary Cd and ß2 -MG concentrations were found among age groups, with urinary Cd levels tending to increase with age in both sexes. No significant correlations were found between urinary Cd and any indicators of renal dysfunction. The correlation between age, Cd and indicators of renal dysfunction was observed more clearly in females than in males. Age is more strongly correlated with indicators of renal dysfunction than Cd body burden. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dietary Patterns and Dietary Adequacy of Street Children in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The negative impact of poverty on the biological well-being of children is well established. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the stress of full-time street life on the dietary patterns and dietary adequacy of street children living in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This was accomplished by comparing the nutritional patterns of full-time street children with those of other poor children in Dhaka who also spend their days on the streets but who return to their families at night. There were few differences between groups, possibly due to street children being a select group. However, there were significant sex differences in both groups of children, with boys tending to have more diverse and more adequate diets than girls. The cause of this latter pattern could not be determined with the available data but may involve cultural values favoring males over females.

A 28-year observational study of urinary cadmium and ß2 -microglobulin concentrations in inhabitants in cadmium-polluted areas in Japan.

The biological half-life of cadmium (Cd) is as long as 10-30 years. Exposure to this element induces renal tubular dysfunction, which is considered irreversible. ß2 -microglobulin (ß2 -MG) is a low-molecular-weight protein, and urinary ß2 -MG is one of the most useful and critical indicators for the early detection of renal tubular dysfunction. However, very little research has been published concerning the long-term observation of Cd-induced adverse health effects. As such, this follow-up study was conducted for 28 years to clarify the relationship between the concentration of Cd and ß2 -MG in the urine of 28 inhabitants (14 male and 14 female) living in the Kakehashi River basin, Ishikawa prefecture (Japan), previously one of the most highly Cd-polluted regions in this country. All subjects were over 60 years old in 2014 and participated in all six health examinations conducted over 28 years (1986-2014). Urine was collected at the appropriate time and kept frozen to analyze urinary Cd and ß2 -MG concentrations. The urinary Cd concentration was found to decrease by nearly half between 1986 and 2008 in both male and female subjects, whereas it increased significantly from 2008 to 2014 in males. In contrast, urinary ß2 -MG concentrations tended to increase over the 28-year study period in both sexes. Urinary Cd and ß2 -MG concentrations in females were significantly higher than those in males in this Cd-polluted region. Age is more strongly associated with urinary ß2 -MG concentration than recent Cd body burden. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Preparedness for Protecting the Health of Community-Dwelling Vulnerable Elderly People in Eastern and Western Japan in the Event of Natural Disasters.

We clarified the preparedness necessary to protect the health of community-dwelling vulnerable elderly people following natural disasters. We collected data from 304 community general support centres throughout Japan. We found the following in particular to be challenging: availability of disaster-preparedness manuals; disaster countermeasures and management systems; creation of lists of people requiring assistance following a disaster; evacuation support systems; development of plans for health management following disasters; provision of disaster-preparedness guidance and training; disaster-preparedness systems in the community; disaster information management; the preparedness of older people themselves in requiring support; and support from other community residents.

Attenuation of Urinary Cadmium in Inhabitants of the Environmentally Exposed Jinzu River Basin Determined by Applying a Mixed Linear Model.

Half-life of urinary cadmium level (U-Cd) was estimated in inhabitants whose initial U-Cd was ≥5 µg/L (131 men and 177 women) or ≥5 µg/gcr (195 men and 246 women), using a linear mixed model adjusted for the baseline age. To clarify the effect of initial U-Cd, the target participants were divided into higher or lower initial U-Cd group. In the higher groups, the half-lives were 15.4 and 13.1 years for unadjusted U-Cd and 19.0 and 23.0 years for creatinine-adjusted U-Cd, in men and women, respectively. In the lower groups, the half-lives were 38.0 and 26.0 years for unadjusted U-Cd in men and women. For creatinine-adjusted U-Cd, it was 42.9 years in men. For attenuation of U-Cd, there were an early fast component shown in the higher group and late slow component shown in the lower group. The attenuation of U-Cd is slower in the longer time compared to that previously reported.

Relationship between dioxin and steroid hormones in sera of Vietnamese men.

A recent study found an inverse correlation between serum TCDD levels and serum testosterone in the US veterans, while there is little known on the dioxin and steroid hormones about Vietnamese men. We collected blood samples from 48 men who had resided in a hotspot when exposure happened and 38 men in a non-sprayed area. Some steroid hormones levels showed significant differences between two areas. There were no correlations between steroid hormones and dioxin TEQ, after ajusting for age and other factors. Our findings indicate that steroid hormones of Vietnamese men did not correlate with dioxin TEQ in two areas.

Serum dioxin levels in Vietnamese men more than 40 years after herbicide spraying.

Recent studies have found elevated dioxin levels inside some U.S. military former air bases in Vietnam, known as hotspots. Many studies of Agent Orange have been done in U.S. veterans; however, there is little known about Vietnamese men. In 2010, we collected blood samples from 97 men in a hotspot and 85 men in an unsprayed area in Northern Vietnam. Serum concentrations of not only TCDD but also other dioxins (PCDDs), furans (PCDFs), and nonortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were significantly higher in the hotspot than in the unsprayed area. In the hotspot, three subareas were demarcated, based on their proximity to the air base. The total toxic equivalents (TEQ) of PCDDs/PCDFs+PCBs was 41.7 pg/g lipid in the area closest to the air base, while it was around 29 pg/g lipid in the other two subareas. In the unsprayed area, the dioxin levels were no different between men who went to the South during the Vietnam War and those who remained in the North, with TEQs PCDDs/PCDFs+PCBs of around 13.6 pg/g lipid. Our findings suggested that people living close to the former U.S. air bases might have been exposed to both Agent Orange and other sources of dioxin-like compounds.

Mortality and causes of deaths of inhabitants with renal dysfunction induced by cadmium exposure of the polluted Jinzu River basin, Toyama, Japan; a 26-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the mortality and causes of deaths of inhabitants with renal dysfunction induced by cadmium (Cd) exposure caused by heavy environmental contamination. METHODS: We conducted a 26-year follow-up survey targeting 7529 inhabitants of the Cd-polluted Jinzu River basin and 2149 controls from non-polluted areas who participated in urinary examinations for proteinuria and glucosuria conducted in 1979 to 1984. When the residents were divided into 4 groups, no finding group, glucosuria group, proteinuria group, glucoproteinuria group, mortality risk ratios for all and specific causes of these groups in the polluted area were compared with that of controls without glucosuria and/or proteinuria after adjustments for age at baseline, smoking status, and history of hypertension using Cox's proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The mortality risk ratios for all causes of proteinuria and glucoproteinuria in men and glucosuria, proteinuria, and glucoproteinuria in women of the polluted areas significantly increased compared with those of the controls with no urinary findings. Respiratory, renal, and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in men, and all diseases except cerebrovascular diseases in women contributed toward an increased mortality of exposed glucoproteinuria groups, which involved chronic Cd toxicosis with renal tubular dysfunction. In women, the mortality risks for cancer of the colon and rectum, uterus and kidney and urinary tract were significantly higher in the exposed proteinuria and glucoproteinuria groups, suggesting associations between renal damage and cancer risk. In exposed women, the no finding group and glucoproteinuria group also showed increased mortality from ischemic heart diseases, indicating that all exposed women may be at risk for ischemic heart diseases. Although the control glucosuria and/or proteinuria group also showed high mortality for diabetes and renal diseases, the increased risk ratio for renal disease mortality was much higher in exposed subjects with urinary findings, particularly in women. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that inhabitants with renal effects caused by Cd exposure had a poor life prognosis over long-term observation in both genders. Particularly in women, renal tubular dysfunction indicated by glucoproteinuria may increase mortality from cancer, ischemic heart diseases, and renal diseases.

The relationship between dioxin congeners in the breast milk of Vietnamese women and sister chromatid exchange.

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between dioxin concentrations in breast milk and the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency in women from herbicide-sprayed and non sprayed areas. Blood samples were taken from 21 women with high TCDD (tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) levels from sprayed areas, 23 women with moderate TCDD levels from sprayed areas, and 19 women from non sprayed areas to determine their SCE frequency. The SCE frequencies for the high and moderate TCDD groups from the sprayed area and for the non sprayed area group were 2.40, 2.19, and 1.48 per cell, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that the standardized ß values for 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexaCDD (ß = 0.60), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptaCDD (ß = 0.64), and octaCDD (ß = 0.65) were higher than those for TCDD (ß = 0.34) and 1,2,3,7,8-pentaCDD (ß = 0.42). The adjusted R² value for polyCDDs (R² = 0.38) was higher than that for polyCDD toxic equivalents (TEQ (toxic equivalents); R² = 0.23). This study therefore shows that levels of hexa-, hepta-, and octaCDD, which were previously regarded as being less toxic than TCDD, are closely related to SCE frequency and that the level of dioxin (pg/g lipid) is potentially more useful as an indicator than TEQ value for explaining SCE frequency.

Current Situation and Causes Analysis of Cadmium Pollution in the Kakehashi River Basin.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is a public environmental problem worthy of attention. Long-term exposure to Cd may have adverse effects on human health. Our previous study showed that urinary concentration of Cd (U-Cd) in the residents decreased when Cd-polluted paddy soil was removed. However, from 2008 to 2014, the concentration of U-Cd increased. At the same time, the concentration of urinary ß2-microglobulin (ß2-MG), which is considered to be an early sign of cadmium-induced renal dysfunction, increased continuously. To find the cause of elevated urinary cadmium (U-Cd) in residents of cadmium-contaminated areas, we measured the concentration of cadmium in the blood (B-Cd) of 29 elderly residents (15 female and 14 male) and edible rice (R-Cd), and correlations between R-Cd, B-Cd, and U-Cd were analyzed in the formerly cadmium-polluted areas (the Kakehashi River basin). In 2016, we collected blood, urine, and rice samples from each participant. The analysis showed a significant correlation between age and B-Cd, U-Cd, and ß2-MG. However, there was no significant correlation between R-Cd and U-Cd, B-Cd, or ß2-MG concentrations. Although we found a slightly higher level of Cd in rice and urine than reported in 2008, we cannot be sure that it indicates an increased Cd contamination in the Kakehashi River basin because larger studies are required for such a conclusion. The increased urinary Cd concentrations in this area may be because Cd in tissues and organs returns to blood and urine as participants age, which leads to an increasing trend.

Relationship of myocardial fibrosis to left ventricular and mitochondrial function in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy--a comparison of focal and interstitial fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial damage is associated with histologic myocardial fibrosis. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can be used to identify focal fibrosis. We examined whether myocardial fibrosis on CMR and collagen volume fraction (CVF) from biopsies correlated with left ventricular (LV) and mitochondrial function in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-nine DCM patients underwent CMR, cardiac catheterization, and endomyocardial biopsy. Minimum first derivative of LV pressure (LVdP/dt(min)) was measured as an index of LV relaxation. Mitochondrial RNA expression was also analyzed. For quantitative analysis of myocardial fibrosis, percentage LGE (%LGE) and CVF were calculated. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of the presence (LGE group; n = 27) or absence (non-LGE group; n = 32) of LGE. Mean CVF and absolute value of LVdP/dt(min) were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in the LGE group than in the non-LGE group. Multivariate analysis revealed that %LGE was an independent determinant of LVdP/dt(min). The abundance of mitochondrial enzyme mRNA was significantly lower in the LGE group. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive CMR imaging is more useful in predicting diastolic dysfunction than invasive histologic assessments. In addition, it might indicate mitochondrial dysfunction in DCM.

Association between indoxyl sulfate and cardiac dysfunction and prognosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Serum indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a uremic toxin that accelerates the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to determine whether serum IS is associated with hemodynamic parameters or cardiac events in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: The 76 patients with DCM had their serum IS and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels measured, and underwent echocardiographic examination. Mean (± standard deviation) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and BNP levels in the patients were 32.5 ± 10.7% and 204 ± 219 pg/ml, respectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups, low IS (<0.9 µg/ml) and high IS (≥ 0.9 µg/ml), based on the median value of serum IS. Although there were no significant differences in LVEF and BNP between the groups, E/e' was significantly greater in the high IS group than in the low IS group. Furthermore, E/e' was an independent determinant of serum IS level. The risk of a cardiac event was significantly higher in the high IS group than in the low IS group (P=0.014). Moreover, serum IS was a significant predictor of cardiac events even after adjustment for BNP. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac dysfunction is associated with the serum IS level, which might serve as a new prognostic marker in DCM patients with normal renal function or mild to moderate CKD.

Usefulness of serum cardiac troponins T and I to predict cardiac molecular changes and cardiac damage in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Cardiac troponins provide diagnostic and prognostic information on ischemic heart disease, but their roles in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are unclear. We sought to investigate the associations between elevated serum cardiac troponins T (cTnT) and I (cTnI) levels and cardiac injury in patients with HCM. We measured serum cTnT and cTnI in a peripheral vein of 73 consecutive HCM patients in stable condition. In addition, to examine the transcardiac release of cTnT and that of cTnI, we measured them in the aortic root and coronary sinus. Mitochondrial- and Ca(2+)-handling-related gene expression assays were analyzed by endomyocardial biopsy specimens. Based on the median value of serum cTnT, we divided the patients into two groups [group A: cTnT < 0.008 ng/mL, (n = 35), group B: cTnT group ≥ 0.008 ng/mL, (n = 38)]. Left ventricular (LV) mass index was significantly higher, while LV ejection fraction was significantly lower, in group B than in group A. Meanwhile, there was a significantly positive correlation between the transcardiac gradient of serum cTnT or cTnI, and the mRNA level of troponin I3 (r = 0.473, r = 0.516, respectively). The mRNA level of troponin T2 significantly correlated with mRNA levels of sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5B, and troponin I3 (r = 0.486, r = 0.957, r = 0.633, respectively). These findings indicate that both elevated serum cTnT and cTnI might be associated with cardiac dysfunction in patients with HCM, resulting from the impairment of mitochondrial function and Ca(2+)-handling protein.

Relationship between the degree of property damage and changes in red blood cells, hematocrit, and hemoglobin among victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake on various hematologic parameters. We studied the relationships between the degree of property damage and changes in red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Ht) among residents before and after the March 2007 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. METHODS: A total of 5,563 residents of Wajima City who were not receiving oral treatment for anemia and who had received basic health screenings for fiscal years (FYs) 2006 and 2007, before and after the earthquake. We analyzed changes in their RBCs, Hb, and Ht levels by gender, age, body mass index (BMI), level of property damage, and evaluation standards. RESULTS: RBCs, Hb, and Ht for FY2007 showed a trend of decreasing values compared to FY2006 in both male and female subjects. RBCs and Hb significantly decreased in females aged between 65 and 74 years who experienced total property damage, and Ht significantly increased for those younger than 65 years who experienced the same level of damage. In addition, significant differences by degree of property damage and FY2007/FY2006 ratio were seen only among subjects with a BMI ratio <1. Furthermore, we found a significant relationship between reduction of RBCs or Hb and increasing age in females; however, no significant relationship to property damage was found. No significant relationships were found for males. CONCLUSIONS: A significant association between property damage and changes in RBCs, Hb, and Ht was not found in this population of residents who experienced the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

The relationship between Agent Orange and prostate specific antigen: a comparison of a hotspot and a non-sprayed area in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of Agent Orange exposure for prostate cancer with a comparison of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels between a hotspot and a non-sprayed area. METHODS: The study was conducted in Phu Cat district (hotspot) and Kim Bang district (non-sprayed), with a total of 101 men in the hotspot and 97 men in the non-sprayed area older than 50 years of age. About 5 mL of whole blood and a health status questionnaire were collected from each subject in August 2009-2011. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects in the hotspot (68.0 years old) was significantly higher than that of those in the non-sprayed area (65.0 years old). No significant difference was found between the hotspot area (0.93 ng/mL) and the non-sprayed area (0.95 ng/mL) in terms of PSA levels. Likewise, this was not statistically significant after adjusting for age. The prevalence of high PSA levels (>3 ng/mL) did not differ significantly between the hotspot (14 men; 13.9 %) and non-sprayed area (9 men; 9.3 %). No significant difference was found between the hotspot area and the non-sprayed area in terms of occupation (farmer and others). In control subjects, no significant difference was found between the PSA levels in subjects exposed to Agent Orange and non-exposed subjects. Likewise, no significant difference was found between the PSA levels of combatants and civilians. CONCLUSION: The PSA levels were not significantly different between the hotspot and the non-sprayed area.

The relationship between dioxins and salivary steroid hormones in Vietnamese primiparae.

OBJECTIVE: Nearly 40 years after Agent Orange was last sprayed, we conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the impact of dioxin exposure on salivary hormones in Vietnamese primiparae. Our previous studies found higher levels of salivary cortisol and cortisone in one of the most highly dioxin-contaminated areas, known as a "hot-spot", than in a non-exposed area. As a result, we suggested that further research with a larger number of participants would be needed to confirm whether dioxin affects steroid hormone levels in Vietnamese primiparae. METHODS: The concentration of steroid hormones in saliva was determined by liquid chromatography (electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry), whereas the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in breast milk were determined by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, for a sample of the population from a "hot-spot" (n = 16) and a non-exposed area (n = 10). All subjects were aged between 20 and 30 years and had children aged between 4 and 16 weeks. RESULTS: The mean toxic equivalence of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCDDs + PCDFs in breast milk in the hot-spot area was found to be significantly higher than in the non-exposed area (p < 0.001). Likewise, salivary cortisol, cortisone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were significantly higher in the hotspot area than in the non-exposed area (p < 0.05). As a result, herein we report, for the first time, that salivary DHEA levels in primiparae are higher in a hot-spot than in a non-exposed area, and that this may be the result of dioxin exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the long-term effects of Agent Orange/dioxin on steroid hormones in Vietnamese primiparae in the post-war period.

Experiences of Japanese women simultaneously caring for children and older people: An ethnographic study.

Background: Japan has experienced a rapid decline in birth rate and an aging population, coupled with women choosing to delay having children. Family carers are therefore increasingly expected to accept simultaneous responsibilities for both children and parents. This responsibility often falls on women in Japan, but little is known about their views. This study aimed to understand how Japanese women who are simultaneously responsible for caring for children and older people perceive their experiences. Methods: This was an ethnographic study conducted in central Japan. Over a period of 3 years and 5 months, we observed 19 people active in a peer support group for people with both childcare and caregiving responsibilities. We also carried out individual interviews with 14 Japanese women who were raising children and caring for parents or parents-in-law. Results: Five key themes emerged. These were "Accepting both childcare and caregiving as my role," "Inability to fulfill the role of mother," "Being supported by children and grandparents," "Unable to talk to anyone about the pressures of caregiving," and "Realizing that caregiving is not the only way to live." Conclusions: Japanese women who provided care to both children and older people were influenced by traditional Japanese values. However, they had a sense of mission and accepted the role of providing for their families. They felt guilty about not being able to fulfill their role as mothers, and were lonely, with no one to understand or advise them. If the burden of caregiving is concentrated on women, there is an increased risk that their children will become involved in providing some of the care for older people. It may therefore be necessary to develop a support system for female carers, and to increase understanding of the potential harm of placing caregiving responsibility solely on women.

Experience with Support at Workplaces for People with Young Onset Dementia: A Qualitative Evaluation of Being Open about Dementia.

Young-onset dementia (YOD) occurs at <65 years of age. Individuals with YOD experience social and psychological disturbances, including a loss of employment. This economic toll affects them, their families, and their caregivers. Employers have an increasing role in supporting affected employees in remaining employed, an important component of the "fight for their dignity". This study aims to clarify the workplace support experiences of employees with YOD. To assess the experiences of employers with at least one affected employee, we interviewed personnel from eight facilities for qualitative analysis. We identified 5 unique categories and 14 subcategories encompassing the following aspects: confusion at the workplace stemming from the uncertainty of the disease, sensitivity when recommending consultation and diagnosis, creating a system that considers safety and security, building consensus among employers, supporting employees with YOD and their families, and assisting the individual with YOD with activities of daily living. Employers should be open to addressing dementia-related issues in the workplace, including obtaining information from employees' physicians so that appropriate support can be provided. Appropriate support can include work accommodations, needs-based support, and meetings with families to build consensus for continued employment. This information can facilitate the creation of new training materials for employers.

Individual Learning Needs of Japanese Public Health Dietitians by Years of Experience in Health Promotion.

Lifelong education for dietitians in Japan is based mainly on competencies according to years of experience. Because learning content differs depending on the desired position and specialty, training programs that reflect the individual learning needs of public health dietitians are needed. This study aimed to assess the individual learning needs of public health dietitians via years of experience in health promotion. In 2021, an online survey of public health dietitians involved in health promotion in prefectures, designated cities, and other municipalities throughout Japan was conducted. Years of experience in health promotion were categorized as early (<10 years), mid-career (10-19 years), and leadership (≥20 years) periods. To ascertain individual learning needs, the survey asked about respondents' desired final position, career path, and skills they felt they needed to improve in the future. Of the 1649 public health dietitians analyzed, all administrative categories preferred to work as public health generalists in mid-career or leadership periods rather than in the early period. In municipalities, more public health dietitians across all experience categories selected "professional competence", such as knowledge in specialized areas and nutritional guidance techniques. It was suggested that public health dietitians in the mid-career and leadership periods have individual learning needs, in both nutrition specialists and public health generalists.

A 30-year follow-up study in a former cadmium-polluted area of Japan: the relationship between cadmium exposure and ß2-microglobulin in the urine of Japanese people.

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant. Long-term exposure to Cd may lead to adverse health effects in humans. Our epidemiological studies showed that urinary Cd (U-Cd) concentrations increased from 2008 through 2014, although they decreased from 1986 through 2008. The aim of this study was to elucidate the long-term effects of the changing trend of cadmium exposure levels (U-Cd) on residents' renal function within 30 years after Cd exposure ceased. In 2016, urine samples were collected from each subject by visiting 20 elderly Japanese people (9 females and 11 males) living in the Kakehashi River basin, a previously Cd-polluted area in Ishikawa, Japan. The geometric means of the ß2-microglobulin (ß2-MG) and urinary Cd (U-Cd) continued to increase from 2014 until 2016. Furthermore, Cd concentration and ß2-MG in urine were still higher than those in the non-polluted areas in Japan. Multivariate linear regression was performed to associate ß2-MG (dependent variable) and U-Cd with sex and age (independent variables). Significant correlations were found among age, U-Cd, and ß2-MG, and these were clearer in females than in males. In summary, we propose that three decades after Cd exposure ceased, age is associated with ß2-MG more strongly than Cd for bodily impact. Moreover, renal tubular dysfunction is irreversible and worsens after exposure to Cd, with females being more sensitive to exposure.