Effects of cadmium on cadmium smelter workers

The effects of cadmium on 65 workers in a cadmium-refining plant in the People's Republic of China were investigated. The average airborne cadmium oxide concentrations ranged from 0.004 to 0.187 mg/m3 at most worksites. Except for some vague symptoms and reports of anosmia, no significant abnormalities were found in the clinical examinations. The level of cadmium in the blood and urine was increased in the majority of the cadmium-exposed subjects. Nine cases (13.8%) with suspected or mild renal tubular damage were found in this study.