Chronic exposure to cadmium has been associated with decreased bone density as well as an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture.Cadmium(Cd)can also cause kidney dysfunction.Older women are a group at risk of renal and bone density impacts induced from relatively low concentrations of Cd.We investigated the relationship between low concentrations of Cd on markers of bone and kidney disease and bone density.The study was a cross sectional study of 77 women aged >50 years who completed a food questionnaire and diet diary and provided urine and blood for biochemical analyses.Urinary and blood Cd were analysed using ICP-MS.Plasma creatinine and iron status using standardised techniques were also measured.Bone biomarkers(pyridinium crosslinks,pyridinoline(PYD)and deoxypyridinoline(DPD))were measured by ELISA and kidney function markers(KIM-1,TFF-3 and Renin)by bead-based multiplexing technology(Luminex? xMAP?).Bone mineral density(BMD)of the whole body,hip and lumbar spine was assessed using DEXA(Hologic Acclaim 4500A).Urinary and blood Cd concentrations ranged between <0.065 and 1.03 ?g/g creatinine and <0.22 and 4.08 ?g/L respectively.Urinary Cd was associated with whole body BMD(r=-0.357,P<0.01),hip(r=-0.294,P<0.05),and lumbar spine(r=-0.265,P<0.05)which remained after adjustment for age,body mass index and time since menopause.Urinary Cd was positively but weakly associated with pyridinium crosslinks(r=0.254,p<0.05).The results for biomarkers of renal dysfunction showed no association between urinary Cd and KIM1 and TFF3.This study provides additional evidence for the effect of Cd exposure on bone health.Further work is required with a larger sample size and a focus on specific dietary sources of exposure in this group.