Cadmium & compounds: Health effects
Description
Cadmium, especially cadmium oxide is a 'probable carcinogen'. There is evidence of it causing prostate and kidney cancer in humans, it has been shown to cause lung and testicle cancer in animals. It is also a teratogen, and may cause reproductive damage. Inhalation of smoke from burning cadmium or from cadmium oxide is toxic to the respiratory system. It is unlikely that this sort of exposure would occur except in cases of unusual industrial accidents. Repeated low exposures can cause permanent kidney damage that may go unnoticed. Lung scarring can occur from a single high exposure or repeated low exposures. Long-term exposures can cause anaemia, fatigue and loss of the sense of smell. High exposures can cause rapid lung damage, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a build up of fluid in the lungs. In severe cases death or permanent lung damage occurs. High exposure may also cause nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhoea High exposures are unlikely to occur except in cases of unusual industrial accidents.
Entering the body
Cadmium and or cadmium compounds will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air, eat contaminated foods, or drink contaminated water.
Exposure
Workers in the industries that use or produce cadmium and or cadmium compounds are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to cadmium and or cadmium compounds by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using cadmium and or cadmium compounds. The most significant route of exposure to cadmium and or cadmium compounds for most members of the general public is through food, since food materials tend to take up and retain cadmium. Plants take up cadmium from the soil, fish and shellfish take up cadmium from the water, etc. Smoking is also an important source of cadmium. Tobacco, like other plants takes up cadmium, which is then inhaled in the smoke.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
Eight hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit: 0.01mg/m3. Worksafe Australia has determined that cadmium and its compounds is a 'probable carcinogen'.
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC and ARMCANZ, 1996):
Maximum of 0.002 mg/L (i.e. 0.000002 g/L)
Key
Links to an another web site
Opens a pop-up window
