@article {Fireman KleinPA3354, author = {Einat Fireman Klein and Ilan Klein and Omer Efrat and Yoram Dekel and Aharon Kessel and Yocahi Adir}, title = {Trajectory of inhaled cadmium ultrafine particles in smokers}, volume = {58}, number = {suppl 65}, elocation-id = {PA3354}, year = {2021}, doi = {10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA3354}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {Trajectory of inhaled cadmium ultrafine particles in smokersIntroduction: Tobacco smoking is a significant source of cadmium exposure among smokers. Most of inhaled heavy metals, including cadmium, are attached to ultrafine particles (UFP) surface. A low inhaled UFP content in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) reflects a high inflammatory status of airways. (Fireman Klein E. et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis~2019). Increased respiratory epithelial permeability and translocation to the circulation is the proposed mechanism. UFP recovered from smokers{\textquoteright} airways have high levels of cadmium compared to the airways of non-smokers. (Fireman Klein E. et al. Cigarette-related cadmium and environmental pollution exposure are reflected in airway ultrafine particle content. ERJ Open Res. 2020 Sep).Methods: Urine was collected from 22 smokers subjects and 43 non-smokers. Samples were analyzed for UFP and cadmium content. UFP were measured in urine samples by means of the NanoSight LM20 system. A Niton XL3 X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer analyzer quantified heavy metal contents in the urine samples.Results: Smokers had elevated UFP and cadmium content in urine compared to non-smokers (4.6 E8/ml and 20.6 ppm vs 3.4 E8/ml and 18.5 ppm, p=0.05 and p=0.05, respectively). Smokers had elevated levels of lead and rubidium compared to non-smokers (8.9 ppm and 27 ppm vs 7.8 ppm and 2 ppm, p=0.05 and p=0.04, respectively)Conclusions: We suggest that the trajectory of cadmium-related UFP in smokers begins by its inhalation into the airways. The UFP induce inflammation and oxidative stress in the small airways, are subsequently translocated from the interstitium to the circulation, and are finally detected and secreted in urineFootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA3354.This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session {\textquotedblleft}Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD{\textquotedblright}.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/58/suppl_65/PA3354}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }