Cadmium Toxicity

Short term and long term exposure to cadmium is animals and humans may cause high blood pressure,
anemia and kidney effects.

Cadmium is found in very concentrations in most rocks, coal and petroleum (oil) products and often in combination with zinc. It is introduced into the environment from mining and smelting operations. Other cadmium emissions are from fossil fuel use, fertilizer application, sewage sludge disposal or galvanized pipe corrosion.

Sources of Cadmium Toxicity[3]

ENVIRONMENTAL/OCCUPATIONAL SOURCES OF CADMIUM TOXICITY

• Tobacco smoke

• Phosphate fertilizers

• Fossil fuel combustion

• Cement production

• Incineration of municipal waste

• By-products from zinc, lead, or copper ore smelting

• Battery manufacturing

• Plastic manufacturing

HOUSEHOLD SOURCES OF CADMIUM TOXICITY

• Contaminated vegetables

• Cosmetic pigments (red and yellow)

• Teflon in cooking pans

• Children’s toys

• Paints

• NiCad batteries

• Food (shellfish, liver and kidney meats)

• Tattoos

MEDICAL SOURCES OF CADMIUM TOXICITY

• Dental restorations

• Amalgams and dental root fillings

Additional Cadmium Toxicity Sources Include:

Shellfish, liver and kidney meats, soft water, tobacco. Mining and smelting processes (e.g. Lead and zinc). Nickel-cadmium batteries, PVC plastics, paint pigments. Insecticides, fungicides, sludge, and commercial fertilizers. Other sources include; dental alloys, electroplating, motor oil, and exhaust.

Synergistic for Cadmium Toxicity Uptake/Retention in the Body:

Iron deficiency. Lead and mercury accentuate toxicity.

Antagonistic for Cadmium Toxicity Uptake/Retention in the Body: 

Adequate zinc, calcium, magnesium, and copper

Cadmium Toxicity Physiological Interactions in the Body: 

Kidney proximal tubule is main site of accumulation. May modify catecholamine metabolism. Decreases CYP-450. Inhibits antitrypsin. Changes in arterial endothelium seen.

Symptoms of Excessive Cadmium Toxicity Exposure: 

Low blood pressure, high blood pressure, fatigue, anemia, protein in the urine, osteomalacia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, emphysema. Cadmium target organs are the liver, placenta, kidneys, lungs, brain, and bones.

Assess, don't guess!

How to test your body for Cadmium Toxicity: 

Heavy Metal Screening Test (this is an inexpensive screening)

Hair Metal Toxicity Test

Urine Heavy Metal Test

How to test water for Cadmium Toxicity: WaterCheck

Recommended cadmium water treatment: Distillation or Reverse Osmosis[1]

This is not an all-encompassing list. There are other sources of metal exposure not listed herein.

This is not an all-encompassing metal toxicity list. There are other sources of metal exposure not listed herein.

References
[1] National Testing Laboratories, Ltd. Corrective Action Brochure 
[2] Genova Diagnostics Toxic & Nutrient Elements Chart[3] NeuroScience Melissa Test and "Hidden Sources of Metal Exposure"

Return from Cadmium Toxicity to Water Quality and Toxicities