The hazards of cadmium in man and animals

The health hazards of cadmium have attracted increased attention since the rock‐soil‐plant‐animal‐man relationship became better known, and when it was realized that low doses are cumulative over a very long time and that increasing industrial pollution may endanger the general population. Major sources are mining and smelting, metal coating, welding, incineration of refuse, fossil fuels and use of sewage sludge as fertilizer. Intoxication usually results from ingestion or inhalation, but the pathogenesis is not well understood. With chronic intoxication, the critical organ is the kidney, where one third of the body cadmium may accumulate. Apart from diseases so far recognized in man, a large number of pathological conditions have been produced in experimental animals, including congenital abnormalities, ovarian, testicular and brain lesions, as well as interference with the immune system. Their full significance for man is not yet known. Cadmium plays no useful role in the organism and its intake should be limited as much as possible, although being ubiquitous it cannot be completely eliminated. Legislation for maximum permissible levels in different food items was attempted, but is not workable and is not in the best interest of the consumer. Instead, the whole food basket of the consumer should be monitored to limit weekly intake to prescribed levels. In addition, hygienic measures should be encouraged, including cleaning, peeling or blanching of fruit and vegetables, removal of outer leaves of cabbage and lettuce to eliminate the effects of aerial pollution, discretion in using sewage sludge as fertilizer, washing hands and possibly avoiding excessive consumption of kidneys and livers.