The principal organs most vulnerable to cadmium toxicity are kidney and lung. Environmental cadmium exposure is associated with renal tubular damage and high blood pressure. Cadmium toxicity impacts the kidney, where damage to proximal tubules has been described. Also, cadmium compounds are classified as carcinogenic to humans.
Associated conditions include:
→ Renal: hypertension, kidney failure
→ Neurological: loss of coordination, numbness of limbs, loss of hearing
Whole blood cadmium is indicative of recent exposure, and is therefore not reflective of total-body burden. Normal concentration of whole blood cadmium is up to 1 μg/L for nonsmokers, and up to 4 μg/L for smokers. Whole blood levels of 10 μg/L have been associated with renal dysfunction.
Associated Symptoms and Diseases:
Femoral pain, lumbago, osteopenia, renal dysfunction, hypertension, vascular disease
Sources:
Industry, spray paint, tobacco smoke, car emissions, plants grown in cadmium-rich soil
Protective Measures:
Zinc, iron, antioxidants
Chelating Agents:
EDTA; DMSA and NAC (experimental)
Cadmium
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