A review of the health effects of cadmium

A review of the health effects of cadmium is presented. Overexposure to cadmium produces numerous acute and chronic effects. Cases of acute poisoning resemble metal-fume poisoning. The first and most distinctive indication of chronic effects is renal tubular dysfunction characterized by proteinuria. Other chronic effects include liver damage, emphysema, osteomalacia, neurological impairment, testicular, pancreatic, and adrenal damage, and anemia. Tumorigenic effects have been observed in animals, and excessive prostatic and lung cancer has been observed in worker studies. In vitro and in vivo mutagenic effects have been noted. Cadmium has been shown to cause hypertension in animals; however, it is unclear whether it is capable of causing similar effects in exposed human populations. Normal urinary excretion is less than 2 micrograms/day and correlates with exposure. Normal blood concentration is below 10 ng/gm of whole blood, and although levels are elevated in exposed groups, there is no apparent direct correlation. Hair values correlate well with exposure. Occupational and environmental standards are discussed.