[Low dose exposure to cadmium and its health effects. (4) Body burden, critical concentration and life expectancy]

As the last manuscript in our series of review articles on cadmium (Cd) and health effects, we reviewed research articles on epidemiologic and experimental studies on exposure levels of Cd in occupational and environmental settings in various countries, disposition and body burden of Cd, critical concentrations of Cd in the kidney of humans and animals with a focus on biomarkers for renal dysfunction, and life expectancy in Cd-polluted areas and reference areas. After this manuscript was compiled, cadmium levels in rice crops received significant attention, since the risk assessment of cadmium is now under review and discussion by the Joint Expert Committee of Food Additives and Contaminants organized by the Food Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization in 2003. We hope that the information compiled in this review may provide directions for future studies on the health risk assessment of Cd.