OSHA has published guidelines for the management of workers exposed to cadmium.
Cadmium facts:
(1) Blood cadmium levels reflect current cadmium exposure.
(2) Urine cadmium levels reflect cadmium body burden.
(3) Acute exposure may cause respiratory dysfunction, while chronic exposure is associated with renal dysfunction (with proteinuria), emphysema and osteomalacia.
(4) Persons showing signs of lung or renal dysfunction should not be exposed to cadmium (Lauwerys RR, page 484).
(5) Smokers have elevated cadmium levels compared to nonsmokers.
|
Cadmium Level in Whole Blood |
Cadmium Level in Urine |
Urine beta-2 Microglobulin |
Action Level |
|
0 - 5 µg/L |
0 - 3 µg per g creatinine |
0 - 300 µg per g creatinine |
A |
|
6 - 15 µg/L |
4 - 15 µg per g creatinine |
301 - 1500 µg per g creatinine |
B |
|
> 15 µg/L |
> 15 µg per g creatinine |
> 1500 µg per g creatinine |
C |
|
Action Level |
Action |
|
A |
monitor annually medical examination every 2 years |
|
B |
monitor every 6 months medical examination every year discretionary removal from source of exposure |
|
C |
monitor every 3 months medical examination every 6 months mandatory removal from source of exposure |
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
