Research Square · Oct 22, 2026
Toxic metals, lung function, blood pressure and arterial function in young adults: a multi- ethnic cross-sectional study
By Talaei M, Griffiths A, Golda P et al.
Background Contemporary population-based studies of toxic metal exposure and health outcomes are lacking in the UK. We aimed to investigate associations between blood lead, cadmium and arsenic concentrations and lung function, blood pressure (BP), and arterial function in young adults. Methods In the Determinants of Adolescent Social Well-being and Health study, a multiethnic London cohort, blood lead, cadmium and arsenic concentrations were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry at 21-24.5 years of age. We analysed cross-sectional associations with lung function [Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV ₁ ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of FVC (FEF ₂₅₋₇₅ )], BP (systolic /diastolic), and arterial function [pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central augmentation index (AIx)] (N = 442–473). Results The median (range) of blood lead concentrations was 10.8 (3.39–65.4) µg/L. In multivariable adjusted models, there was a non-linear negative association between blood lead concentrations and FEV ₁ /FVC and FEF ₂₅₋₇₅ , with the steepest reduction seen at the lowest concentrations; the reduction was − 4.78% (95% CI: -7.97, -1.59) and − 0.45 L/Sec (-0.82, -0.07), respectively, comparing the top with the bottom quintiles of lead. We did not find convincing evidence for associations between cadmium or arsenic and lung function, or between lead or cadmium and BP. However, there was evidence of non-linear positive associations between lead concentration and AIx and PWV, as well as between arsenic concentrations and BP. Conclusions Even at low levels of lead exposure, higher blood lead concentrations were associated with obstructive lung function impairment and increased aortic augmentation in young adults.