Cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is a metal that occurs in the body as a trace element. It can be absorbed through the respiratory tract as well as the gastrointestinal tract. Cadmium is toxic in all forms that occur. It is genotoxic and carcinogenic. Cadmium is stored primarily in the liver (biological HWL: 10-40 years) and kidney.

Excretion is renal (via the kidney) and biliary (with bile).

Acute cadmium poisoning can be distinguished from chronic cadmium poisoning.

In acute cadmium poisoning, the following symptoms may occur:

  • Acute pulmonary edema – accumulation of water in the lungs.
  • Bronchitis
  • Diarrhea (diarrhea)
  • Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
  • Liver dysfunction
  • Renal cortical necrosis – tissue death in the area of the renal cortex.
  • Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs)
  • Mucosal irritation in the upper respiratory tract.
  • Nausea / vomiting (Nausea)
  • Vertigo (dizziness)

Chronic cadmium poisoning may cause the following symptoms:

  • Hypochromic anemia (iron deficiency anemia due to inhibition of intestinal absorption of iron).
  • Anosmia – inability to smell.
  • Cadmium nephropathy (pathological changes in the kidney caused by cadmium).
    • Leads to tubular proteinuria (protein excretion usually >2 g/24 h, predominantly α-1-microglobulin and β-2-microglobulin).
  • Emphysema bronchitis
  • Itai-Itai – form of osteomalacia (softening of bones) in women on the island of Hondo.
  • Cachexia (emaciation)
  • Pulmonary emphysema (distension of the lungs)
  • Osteoporosis and fractures (bone fractures).
  • Prostate cancer (cancer of the prostate gland)
  • “Cadmium snuff”
  • Tooth neck discoloration (golden yellow)

The procedure

Material needed

  • EDTA blood (should be preferred)
  • Blood serum
  • 24h collection urine

Preparation of the patient

  • Not necessary

Disruptive factors

  • Not known

Normal values EDTA blood

Non-smoker <1.7 μg/l
Smoker < 8 μg/l

Biological occupational tolerance level (BAT): 15 μg/l

Normal values blood serum

Normal value < 0.4 μg/l

Normal values urine

Normal value <4 μg/l

Biological occupational tolerance level (BAT): 15 μg/dl

Indications

  • Suspected cadmium poisoning

Interpretation

Interpretation of lowered values

  • Not relevant to disease

Interpretation of elevated values

  • Occupational exposure (recognition as occupational disease).
    • Accumulators, batteries, paint pigments, fossil fuels, soldering metals, metal smelting, rust inhibitors.
  • Smoker