Cadmium Toxicity
How Should Patients Exposed to Cadmium Be Treated and Managed?
Course: WB 1096
CE Original Date: May 12, 2008
CE Renewal Date: May 12, 2011
CE Expiration Date: May 11, 2013
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Learning Objectives |
Upon completion of this section, you will be able to
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Introduction |
One exposed person often signals potential or actual exposure of others with the possibility of a common exposure source. Such sources include
Public health authorities should be notified whenever cadmium toxicity is suspected so that case-finding may be initiated and preventive measures taken. |
Treatment of the Acute High-dose Exposure |
The mainstay of management for most inhalation exposure victims is supportive treatment including
In cases of ingestion, gastric decontamination by emesis or gastric lavage may be beneficial soon after exposure. Administration of activated charcoal has not been proven effective. |
Treatment and Management of the Chronically Exposed |
For chronic poisoning victims, the most important intervention is prevention of further exposure. Preventive measures in the workplace include
Important hygiene preventive measures that are the first line of defense include
In addition, patient and worker education is vital in encouraging preventive behavior and in assisting early detection of cadmium toxicity. Respiratory protection should be worn in occupational or hobby settings where airborne concentrations may exceed allowable limits. Smoking, eating, and drinking in the work area should be discouraged. |
Monitoring for Cadmium-Exposed Workers |
OSHA requires a program of medical examination and biological monitoring for workers exposed to cadmium for 30 or more days a year at levels of 2.5 µg/m3 in air or greater. The purpose of this program is to prevent cadmium induced disease. OSHA required medical monitoring includes
Increased medical monitoring and exposure review is required if urine cadmium is greater then 3µg/gm creatinine, or whole blood cadmium if greater than 5µg/l or urine ß2 microglobulin is greater than 300µg/gm creatinine. Removal from exposure is required if the urine cadmium is greater than 15 µg/gm creatinine or whole blood cadmium is greater than 15 µg/l or urine ß2 microglobulin than 1,500 µg/gm creatinine. A full description of required monitoring and actions required at different cadmium levels can be found at OSHA Standards - Cadmium (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/cadmium/). |
Key Points |
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Progress Check |
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