Hair as an indicator for assessing adverse effect of cadmium on human health

Occupational health problems of 240 male workers of roadways workshop, carriage workshop and battery factory were investigated. Cadmium concentrations in the hair were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Health effects, such as acidity, hypotension, hypertension, dermatitis, ophthalmic problems, cardiac disease, indigestion, diabetes, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, respiratory troubles, psychological and liver problems were found in subjects. Significant levels between the unhealthy and normal subjects were determined by applying a parametric test, the student's t test at a significant level of p < 0.05. The results of our studies indicate that the significant difference in cadmium levels were observed in subjects suffering from acidity, ophthalmic problems, hypertension, psychological problems, tuberculosis and their respective controls. No correlation with cadmium was obtained with cardiac diseases, diabetes, hepatitis B, respiratory problems, dermatitis and hypotension.