Cadmium

Heavy metals are naturally found in the environment, medicines, food items, and even water. One such commonly found heavy metal in the environment is cadmium. It is naturally present with a combination of other heavy metals such as zinc, copper, aluminium, mercury, lead, etc.

Cadmium metal is generally used in:

• Low-melting alloys 
• Coatings and plating
• Solder and bearing alloys
• Storage batteries

Heavy metals such as cadmium can affect your system in different ways and increase your exposure to cadmium toxicity. If cadmium levels are excessive in your body, it can lead to metal poisoning. This can cause serious health problems, including behavioural changes and organ damage, and also affect thinking and memory.

Even if the levels are low, it can be highly toxic for the human body, and you may experience ill effects of cadmium metal, including reproductive, cardiovascular, eyes, brain issues, kidney disease, etc. Cadmium disease, known as Itai-Itai, was first termed in Japan when there was a significant case of cadmium toxicity. The disease spread due to excessive dumping of industrial waste in rivers.

The symptoms of cadmium toxicity can be visible two to four hours after exposure. You may experience:

• Weakness
• Fever
• Cough
• Irritation of the nose and throat
• Headache
• Chest pain

If you inhale cadmium dust, it may rapidly spread to the respiratory tract and cause kidney problems. This can even turn fatal as a slight increase in the levels can immediately cause the poison to spread.

People who work in industrial settings are at a higher risk of exposure to cadmium metal. Industrial workers working near factories and mining operations usually contract cadmium toxicity. Along with adults, some children under the age of six may also be exposed to it since they have a higher risk for heavy metal poisoning. Cadmium toxicity is a severe type of heavy metal poisoning that can affect your body for a long time. Hence, it is important to test for cadmium toxicity as exposure to it may lead to life-threatening diseases. Getting a cadmium test helps measure the levels of cadmium metal in the body. If you experience symptoms after exposure to heavy metal, it is recommended that you get tested immediately.

Apollo 24|7 offers a comprehensive cadmium test to determine the level of cadmium in your body. Based on the results, your doctor may offer you appropriate treatment to reduce cadmium toxicity. The treatment can be designed to help relieve and manage your symptoms as there is no effective treatment for cadmium toxicity.

Some preventive measures to avoid exposure to cadmium are:

• Working in areas that are clean and free of dust
• Prohibiting smoking
• Cleaning hands
• Disposing of contaminated clothes
• Prohibiting food and beverages in the work zone
   

Medically reviewed by Dr. Naveen Polavarapu, Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad