A single acute exposure to high levels of cadmium can result in long-lasting
impairment of lung function (Calabrese and Kenyon 1991). The most recent study
showed that current and former smokers had higher body burdens of cadmium than
non-smokers; the body burden of cadmium was related to lung injury (Mannino et al.
2004). Effect of chronic occupational exposure to cadmium includes chronic rhinitis,
destruction of the olfactory epithelium with subsequent anosmia as well as the
development of bronchitis (ATSDR 1999; Drebler et al. 2002).
4.1.5 Gastrointestinal Effects
Cadmium ingested in high doses irritates the gastric epithelium. The most common
way that acute poisoning via cadmium ingestion occurs is consumption of acidic
food or beverages improperly stored in containers with a cadmium glaze. The
symptoms of severe cadmium ingestion are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps
and pain, diarrhea, and tenesmus (Lewis 1997).
4.1.6 Reproductive Health
Cadmium causes disturbances of the male reproductive system involving changes in
male sex hormones and related changes in accessory reproductive organs. Cadmium
can cause acute necrosis of the testicles and may be involved in the development of
prostate cancer (Goyer et al. 2004). In females high doses of cadmium inhibit
ovarian progesterone biosynthesis. Cadmium may lead to hemorrhagic changes in
ovaries, changes in ovarian hormonal production, and endothelial changes in the
blood vessels (Henson and Chedrese 2004).
4.1.7 Developmental Effects
Cadmium does not induce birth defects in infants of women occupationally exposed
to cadmium. However, there are reports in Japan of increased rates of preterm
delivery in women that have higher urinary cadmium levels than mothers with
lower levels. These preterm infants had birth weights that were lower than those of
newborns of unexposed women, but this may be due to early deliveries (Nishijo et al.
2002). Tabacova et al. (1994) by studying a group of pregnant women residing in the
vicinity of a copper smelter suggested that exposure to metals during gestation could
enhance the development of pregnancy complications by increased lipid peroxidation. At this time, the evidence of cadmium’s effects on pregnancy is inconsistent
and requires further investigation.
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impairment of lung function (Calabrese and Kenyon 1991). The most recent study
showed that current and former smokers had higher body burdens of cadmium than
non-smokers; the body burden of cadmium was related to lung injury (Mannino et al.
2004). Effect of chronic occupational exposure to cadmium includes chronic rhinitis,
destruction of the olfactory epithelium with subsequent anosmia as well as the
development of bronchitis (ATSDR 1999; Drebler et al. 2002).
4.1.5 Gastrointestinal Effects
Cadmium ingested in high doses irritates the gastric epithelium. The most common
way that acute poisoning via cadmium ingestion occurs is consumption of acidic
food or beverages improperly stored in containers with a cadmium glaze. The
symptoms of severe cadmium ingestion are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps
and pain, diarrhea, and tenesmus (Lewis 1997).
4.1.6 Reproductive Health
Cadmium causes disturbances of the male reproductive system involving changes in
male sex hormones and related changes in accessory reproductive organs. Cadmium
can cause acute necrosis of the testicles and may be involved in the development of
prostate cancer (Goyer et al. 2004). In females high doses of cadmium inhibit
ovarian progesterone biosynthesis. Cadmium may lead to hemorrhagic changes in
ovaries, changes in ovarian hormonal production, and endothelial changes in the
blood vessels (Henson and Chedrese 2004).
4.1.7 Developmental Effects
Cadmium does not induce birth defects in infants of women occupationally exposed
to cadmium. However, there are reports in Japan of increased rates of preterm
delivery in women that have higher urinary cadmium levels than mothers with
lower levels. These preterm infants had birth weights that were lower than those of
newborns of unexposed women, but this may be due to early deliveries (Nishijo et al.
2002). Tabacova et al. (1994) by studying a group of pregnant women residing in the
vicinity of a copper smelter suggested that exposure to metals during gestation could
enhance the development of pregnancy complications by increased lipid peroxidation. At this time, the evidence of cadmium’s effects on pregnancy is inconsistent
and requires further investigation.
366
S. Saini and G. Dhania