The following webpages provide additional information on the health effects of cadmium. Acute health effects, such as flu-like symptoms, intestinal tract ailments and lung irritation, can be caused by intense short-term exposure. Cadmium exerts toxic effects on the kidney, the skeletal system and the respiratory system and is classified as a human carcinogen.1–4 It is generally present in the environment at low levels; however, human activity has greatly increased levels in environmental media relevant Many studies on the health effects of environmental Cd pollution, especially its adverse effects on the bone and kidney (Kido et al., 1992, Haswell-Elkins et al., 2008, Ning et al., 2006, Chen et al., 2008, Satarug and Moore, 2004, Schutte et al., 2008), have been conducted after “Itai-itai” disease occurred in Japan in the 1950s. Author information: (1)Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Environmental Health and Related Product Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China. Zhang WL(1), Du Y(2), Zhai MM(3), Shang Q(4). Cadmium exposure and accumulation in the body start at young age. Symptoms may resolve after a week if there is no respiratory damage. Who is exposed to cadmium? It is naturally occurring in the environment as a pollutant that is derived from agricultural and industrial sources. %%EOF 1990). Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA Brief - Medical Evaluation of Renal Effects of Cadmium Exposures, Worker Notification Program -Cadmium Recovery Workers (Cadmium), Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), Safety and Health Topics Page on Carcinogens, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. What are the potential health effects of Cadmium? endstream endobj 297 0 obj <>/Metadata 14 0 R/OCProperties<>/OCGs[318 0 R]>>/PageLabels 292 0 R/PageLayout/OneColumn/Pages 294 0 R/PieceInfo<>>>/StructTreeRoot 46 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 298 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC/ImageI]/Properties<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 299 0 obj <>stream Gut microbiota, which function in production of nutrients, metabolic processing, breakdown of toxins, and protection from infections, are involved in a host’s health at various life stages. Elevated blood pressure has not been observed as a result of excessive exposures to cadmium in Japan or the workplace. Effects of Cadmium Exposure. Efforts to reduce both occupational and nonoccupational exposure to cadmium are needed to prevent cadmium-induced renal injury. Low-dose exposure to elevated levels of cadmium over a long period of time has different health consequences than a single high dose exposure. The severity of the effects depends on duration and magnitude of exposure. human health effects from cadmium exposure: comparison between persons living in cadmium-contaminated and non-contaminated areas in northwestern thailand. Chronic exposure (low level over an extended period of time) can result in kidney, bone and lung disease. It is a highly toxic carcinogenic that is harmful to most of the body’s systems, especially to the lungs, bones, and kidneys. 0 Human Health. Cadmium exposure may also potentiate the development of glomerulopathy in diabetic populations (Buchet et al. Cadmium exerts toxic effects on the kidneys as well as the skeletal and respiratory systems. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being … Inhalation. %PDF-1.5 %���� Acute inhalation exposure (high levels over a short period of time) to cadmium can result in flu-like symptoms (chills, fever, and muscle pain) and can damage the lungs. Excretion from the body is limited. Cadmium accumulation in the kidney is responsible for effects such … Exposure to cadmium through inhalation of fumes or dust in occupational settings has long been known to cause adverse health effects on lungs and kidneys. Abdominal cramps and pain may also occur, combined with diarrhea. Cadmium accumulation in the kidney is responsible for effects such as nephrotoxicity and osteoporosis which are observed at adult age. Tubular damage may develop at much lower levels than previously estimated, as shown in this report. Health Effects. Cadmium exposure and accumulation in the body start at young age. Cadmium and its compounds are highly toxic and exposure to this metal is known to cause cancer and targets the body's cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems. This leaflet tells you about the possible health hazards of different forms of cadmium, the preventative measures your employer needs to apply and the precautions you should take. Excretion from the body is limited. Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic non-essential transition metal that poses a health risk for both humans and animals. According to current knowledge, renal tubular damage is probably the critical health effect of cadmium exposure, both in the general population and in occupationally exposed workers. � !w] A relationship has been established between cadmium air exposure and proteinuria (an increase in the presence of low molecular weight proteins in the urine and an indication of … In industry, it's regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and it has a very low permissible exposure level. Exposure routes in children are mainly via food, environmental tobacco smoke and house dust. 317 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<5504554CA889494F8E42EC6A45DA6697>]/Index[296 46]/Info 295 0 R/Length 97/Prev 57482/Root 297 0 R/Size 342/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream Exposure routes in children are mainly via food, environmental tobacco smoke and house dust. The health effects of human exposure to cadmium are discussed with emphases on intake, absorption, body burden, and excretion; osteomalacia in Japan; hypertension; and proteinuria, emphysema, osteomalacia, and cancer in workers. h�bbd``b`f��@���`-�=[@� �� n/�X�n Iȁ����J1H$�� Excretion from the body is limited. Cadmium exposure and its health effects: a 19-year follow-up study of a polluted area in China. Cadmium is also used in refining zinc metal and its byproduct is one of the leading causes of cadmium poisoning. �@�5�$�1012nq�G�g�� Long-term intake of high doses of cadmium from polluted rice induced “Itai-itai disease”, a disease of the kidneys and bones, that was recognized in the Japanese population after World War II [ 1 ]. 341 0 obj <>stream endstream endobj startxref Cadmium can travel long Cadmium exposure has been observed disturbing calcium metabolism too, which can then cause bone softening or osteomalacia and osteoporosis. large health burden associated with exposure to cadmium at levels experienced by many populations worldwide. For additional information regarding carcinogens, see OSHA's. Long-term, low-dose exposure to cadmi- Worker exposure to cadmium can occur in all industry sectors but mostly in manufacturing and construction. Once cadmium enters the body, it is stored in the liver and kidneys, and then slowly excreted in urine. h޼Wmo�8�O��V+��8��B�PZNG�J�z�CZ\-�d����݌�@eKau�\�3㙱�q��'�H�q"#>���,�Q����0j™�a�.4J��K�Tj�). Cadmium exposure and accumulation in the body start at young age. Sufficient cadmium exposure can also lead to decreased GFR and chronic renal failure manifested by: aminoaciduria, glucosuria, hypercalcuria, hyperphosphaturia, polyuria, and; reduced buffering capacity for acids (Jarup 2002). There is no safe margin of cadmium exposure and the need to lower human exposure is desperate. For chronic cadmium exposure, effects occur mainly on the kidneys, lungs, and bones. Exposure routes in children are mainly via food, environmental tobacco smoke and house dust. Cadmium, when introduced into the body, Long-term, lower level exposure results in cadmium accumulation in the kidneys and thyroid gland, and can contribute to thyroid issues, kidney disease, infertility, uterine fibroids, and other reproductive tract diseases if the build-up is high enough. The health effects in children are expected to be similar to the effects seen in adults (kidney, lung, and bone damage depending on the type of exposure). Although at low levels, chronic cadmium exposure may induce renal dysfunction. Bear in mind that not all forms of cadmium present the same dangers. Cadmium is found in cadmium fumes (CdO) and cadmium compounds. Cadmium exerts toxic effects on the kidney, the skeletal system and the respiratory system and is classified as a human carcinogen. Studies about the relationship between cumulative exposure to cadmium and health effects should be encouraged. For a comprehensive discussion of cadmium's health effects, see OSHA Preambles to Final Rules – Cadmium. Breathing air with very high levels of cadmium can severely damage the lungs and may cause death. Ingestion of a large dose of cadmium can cause severe gastrointestinal effects. Human beings get exposed to cadmium through the foods they take and in the places they live or work. Workers. Acute inhalation exposure (high levels over a short period of time) to cadmium can result in flu-like symptoms (chills, fever, and muscle pain) and can damage the lungs. Breathing air with lower levels of cadmium over long periods of time (for years) results in a build-up of cadmium in the kidney, and if sufficiently high, may result in kidney disease. Cadmium accumulation in the kidney is responsible for effects such as nephrotoxicity and osteoporosis which are observed at adult age. A few studies in animals indicate that younger animals absorb more cadmium than adults. It is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to cadmium primarily occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food and water and, to a significant extent, through inhalation and cigarette smoking. Cadmium metal (Cd) is a silver-white solid, tinged with blue. This review provides an update on cad-mium exposure levels and the potential adverse health effects they may elicit in adult popu-lations. The widespread industrial use of cadmium has led to the exposure to human beings, animals, and the environment. 3. It is generally present in the environment at low levels; however, human activity has greatly increased levels in environmental media relevant to population exposure. Cadmium produces a number of health concerns and is a known carcinogen. We focus first on key issues under-pinning health risk assessment of low-level Nevertheless, other toxicological effects of early-life cadmium exposure, especially the long-term effects in later life, should be investigated. HUMAN EXPOSURES AND HEALTH EFFECTS Non-occupational exposure occurs mainly from active and passive inhalation of tobacco smoke and from consumption of contaminated food and water. It is generally present in the environment at low levels; however, human activity has greatly increased those levels. In fact, cadmium was the primary cause of Itai-itai disease (or “It hurts-it hurts disease”), a health disaster that occurred in 1912 in the Toyama Prefecture of … Occupational exposure to cadmium can lead to a variety of adverse health effects including cancer. 1,2. 296 0 obj <> endobj Acute exposure to cadmium fumes may cause flu-like symptoms including chills, fever, and muscle ache sometimes referred to as "the cadmium blues." International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Almost all humans carry a significant body burden of cadmium, generally increasing with age. Workers may be harmed from exposure to cadmium. The critical health effect of cadmium is on the kidneys where it damages the blood filtration system of the kidneys, which results in proteins being excreted in urine. h�b```b``�f`e`���π �,@Q�&��N@u��v@�\֮�QV���rݎqV��.��V��V����P�� �������H�،>6� ��M �6*���8x�_,��d��f��P� �xN)iF �b.�:@���A�;X�u�``�����(@� H( The health effects associated with cadmium exposure depend on the way people are exposed to cadmium, how much has entered the person’s body, how long the person has been exposed for and how the person’s body responds to the exposure. Swaddiwudhipong W, Nguntra P, Kaewnate Y, Mahasakpan P, Limpatanachote P, Aunjai T, … A very intense exposure may cause hemorrhaging of the digestive tract and severe damage to the liver, kidneys and heart, resulting in death. Health effects of cadmium exposure - a review of the literature and a risk estimate Studies on experimental animals have indicated that a single high dose of cadmium can give rise to necrosis of the testicles. 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