Assessment of renal function of workers simultaneously exposed to inorganic lead and cadmium

The renal function of a group of workers (n = 62) exposed simultaneously to lead and to cadmium has been examined. The results were compared with those obtained in a earlier study of three groups of workers - one exposed to lead only, one exposed to cadmium only and one not exposed to either of these metals (control group). The results obtained in the earlier study have been published previously. No interaction between lead and cadmium is evidenced. The signs of renal dysfunction found in the group exposed simultaneously to lead and to cadmium can be ascribed to cadmium only. The results of this study have confirmed the authors' previous observations, that is, a moderate exposure to lead (plumbemia less than 62 micrograms/100 ml and average duration of exposure = 13.2 years) does not seem to influence renal function; in adult male workers the critical levels of cadmium in blood and in urine are 1 microgram/100 ml whole blood and 10 micrograms/g creatinine, respectively; the renal dysfunction induced by cadmium is both glomerular and tubular.