Cadmium was discovered in 1817 and occurs naturally with zinc. It is used in electroplating, pigments, plastics, and batteries. Cadmium is poorly absorbed through digestion but is readily absorbed through inhalation, with the lungs and kidneys accumulating about 50% of the body's cadmium load. Chronic cadmium toxicity primarily affects the kidneys, causing proteinuria and damage related to amino acids and phosphates, as well as increased urinary calcium and risk of kidney stones. Other chronic effects include lung damage like emphysema and cancer, interference with copper metabolism causing anemia, tooth discoloration, and prostate cancer. Treatment focuses on chelating agents to increase urinary

1. Cadmium
One of the newer element discovered in 1817. It occurs in the nature with Zinc & it is a by-
product during smelting of Zinc & Lead Ores.
Uses:- 1) Electroplating 2) To manufacture Pigments 3) As a Stabilizer in Plastic 4) Nickel
Cadmium Rechargeable Batteries
Metabolism:- Poorly absorbed through the gut, only 6% is absorbed. Main absorption is
through lungs. In blood about 70% is bound to RBCs. & it tends to accumulate in Liver &
Kidneys. These two organs contain 50% Body Burdon. The Body Burdon of Smokers is much
higher than Non Smokers.
Biological ½ life is about 10years.
In the tissues it is mainly bound to Metallo-Thiamin, which ia a Zinc Storage Protein with
unusual component of Amino Acid.
It is excreted in the urine largely as Cadmium Metallo Thiamine Complex, but the rate of
excretion is very low so biological ½ life is longer. Small amount also appear in Bile, Saliva,
Hair, & Nails.
Toxicity:- I) Acute Toxicity:- Mainly due to inhalation of Cadmium Oxide Fumes. It takes
10 hours to develop signs & symptoms which include:-
1) Retrosternal Pain 2) Dyspnoea 3) Cough 4) Cough 5) Symptoms
like Metal Fume Fever
II) Chronic Toxicity:- 1) Kidney:- Kidney is Principle Target Organ. The effects are
a) Proteinurea:- The earliest sign
b) Appearance of low molecular weight Proteins like
Retinal Binding Proteins, β Microglobulin, and Urinary
Enzyme known as N-Acetyl-β-D- Glucosaminadase
c) AminoAcid urea
d) Glycosurea
e) Phosphateurea
f) Increased Urinary Excretion of Calcim
g) Urinary Stones:- Mainly CalciumStones

2. 2) Liver:- Liver has some Protective Device. So damage
damage due to Cadmium is not significant
3) Lungs:- 1) Most common is Emphysema
2) Carcinoma of Lungs
4) Anaemia due to interference with Copper Metabolism
5) Effect on Teeth:- Discolouration of Teeth
6) Effect on Prostate:- Prostate Cancer
7) Itai – Itai Disease:- Pain in the Back, Legs and number of
pathological features develop due to Osteomalesia.
Mechanism of Osteomalesia:-a) Cadmium may
develop Fanconi Like Syndrome. Thus
HypoPhosphatemic Osteomalesia may occur .
b) Failure of Calcitrol Formation in the renal
tubular cells.
C) Disturbance of Vit. D Metabolic Pathway due
to interaction of Cadmium Renal Mitochondrial
Hydroxilase of Vit D3 Endocrine Complex
(Latest Concept)
8) Hypertension
Treatment:- 1) Chelating Agents like BAL & EDTA:- They increase urinary excretion of
Cadmium, but their effectiveness diminishes with time, because they
Remove only that part of Cadmium, which is not bound to
Metallo-Thiamine. Thus they have little effect in Chronic Poisoning
2) Removal from Exposure
3) Monitor Renal Functions
4) To Monitor Sub-Clinical Osteomalesia
5) General & Symptomatic Treatment