Cadmium

Cadmium is the seventh most toxic heavy metal in the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR) ranking. It is a by-product of the processing of zinc to which humans or
animals may be exposed at work or in the field. Once this metal is consumed by humans, it will
remain in the body for a lifetime. The metal was used for the first time in World War I as a
replacement for tin and in the paint industry as a pigment. It is also used in rechargeable batteries,
in the manufacture of special alloys and, also in tobacco smoke in today's scenario. Humans was
exposed to cadmium primarily by inhalation and ingestion as three-fourths of cadmium is being use
in alkaline batteries, coatings, pigments and plating including plastic stabilizer and can make human
suffer from acute or chronic intoxication.

Cadmium toxicity has proved affected several organs in human body. This is because
cadmium induces tissue injury by causing oxidative stress, epigenetic changes in DNA expression,
inhibition or upregulation of transport pathways, especially in the proximal S1 segment of the renal
tubule.

Clinical stigma of cadmium toxicity depends on the path, quantity and level of exposure.
Human kidney is the main organ that has been affected by the toxicity of cadmium. Cadmium
deposition major target in kidney is the S1 segment of renal tubule. This may cause shortcomings
in protein, amino acid, glucose, bicarbonate and phosphate reabsorption (Fanconi syndrome).

Besides that, cadmium may also inhibit the absorption of vitamin D in the kidneys, with a
deleterious effect on the bone. This effect, combined with direct Cd impairment of calcium absorption
in the intestines and disruption of the metabolism of collagen, can lead to osteomalacia and/or
osteoporosis. The most extreme example of this phenomenon is itai-itai disease in Japan, which
combines intense osteomalacia pain with osteoporosis, renal tubular dysfunction, anaemia, and
calcium malabsorption.

According to the Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals

(NHANES), cadmium exposure is rife in the wide-ranging population. There are no criteria for
associated blood or urine cadmium measurements with medical toxicity. Thus, no conclusions are
drawn on the importance of blood or urine concentrations. This is also valid because blood and urine
levels are not associated with body burdens. Considering the generally safe essence of EDTA care
provided under any of the above listed medical guidelines, it would seem appropriate to screen high-
risk individuals (e.g. smokers, persons with occupational exposures, etc.) and those with possible
clinical indications and to treat those with elevated cadmium levels on a suggestive basis.
REFERENCES
Himeno, S., & Aoshima, K. (2019). Cadmium Toxicity: New Aspects in Human Disease, Rice
Contamination, and Cytotoxicity. Singapore: Springer Singapore.
Human Health and Heavy Metals Exposure. (2002). Life Support.