| TITLE:
|
Cadmium
(Cd) |
| SYNONYMS/FORMS
|
Silver-white
metal, Salt forms as oxide, carbonate, chloride, sulfate and
sulfide. |
| GENERAL
INFORMATION |
Cd
has no essential biological function, and is extremely toxic
to humans.Cadmium occurs naturally with zinc and is a byproduct
in the smelting of zinc and some lead ores.Research suggests
that taking minerals such as zinc, iron and calcium decreases
the bioavailablity of Cd, thereby decreasing its absorption
in the body. |
| SOURCES
|
Cd
is used in electroplating, in alloys, as a deoxidizer in nickel
plating, in Cd-Ni batteries, as pigments in glazes and enamel
paints, in plastics, and fertilizers. Found in cigarette fumes
(0.007 to 0.35 mg Cd per cigarette). Occupational sources
include mining effluents, smelting of lead, zinc and copper
in mixed ores with Cd and welding. |
|
EXPOSURE
Short-term
|
Daily
ingestion and inhalation of Cd in humans can absorb from 1-4
mg/day. It is transported in blood bound to albumin, carried
to the liver to induce metallothionin (MT) synthesis. The
Cd-MT complex travels to the renal tubular cells that at high
levels can results in cell damage. |
|
Long-term
|
Cd
accumulates in the kidneys and liver with a half-life of 15
to 30 years. Cd inactivates enzymes with sulphydryl groups,
and also uncouples oxidative phosphorylation. |
|
TOXICITY
Signs/Symptoms
|
Cadmium
poisoning can be reported if blood levels are greater than
or equal to 5 mg/L and if urine levels are greater than or
equal to 10 mg/L. (1)Fever-like symptoms, pulmonary edema
within 24 hours of acute exposure, excretion of excessive
low molecular weight protein is the first sign of chronic
kidney damage. |
|
MONITORING
Adult Testing
|
The
recommended sample to test is whole blood for acute exposure,
and add random urine in occupational workers.Whole blood:
non smoker - 0 - 8.9nmol/L smoker - 10.7 - 40.9 nmol/LErythrocytes:
non smoker - 0 - 20.0 nmol/L smoker - 23.1- 89.9 nmol/L Random
Urine: 0 - 13.4 nmol/L 0.00 - 0.013 umol/L 0.00 - 1.91 umol/mol
creatinine24 hour Urine: 0.0 - 17.8 nmol/dHair: 0 - 1.33 nmol/g |
| Pediatric
Testing |
Not
determined |
| Alert/Action
Levels |
Blood
100 nmol/L and urine 5 umol/mol creatinine (2) |
| TREATMENT
OPTIONS |
There
is no effective chelation treatment |
| REFERENCES
|
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/cade_content/
epi_manual/cadmium.pdf2. Ontario Ministry of Labour 1995 |
