Cadmium Exposure and Health Effects

Cadmium Exposure and Health Effects

• Cadmium is readily absorbed through ingestion.
• Most foods contain less than 50 μg cadmium/kg. Weekly ingestion should be below 400-500 μg.
• Long-term exposure causes renal tubule damage, anemia, and liver dysfunction.
• Cadmium is highly toxic, accumulating in organisms even at low concentrations.
• Maximum acceptable concentration in drinking water is 5 μg/L.
• Tolerable weekly intake for adults is 0.4-0.5 mg.

Sources of Cadmium Exposure

• Food: Cadmium is found in:
  • Leafy vegetables, root crops, rice, and cereals (higher levels from fertilizers).
  • Shellfish and meat (higher levels in shellfish, liver, and kidneys).
  • Fruits (lowest levels in plant-based foods).
• Other Sources:
  • Canned evaporated milk and soft drinks
  • Drinking water contaminated with cadmium.

Health Effects of Cadmium Exposure

• Primary Storage Sites: Cadmium primarily accumulates in the kidneys and liver, potentially for years.
• Potential Health Effects:
  • Renal damage (potentially leading to kidney failure).
  • Reduced bone mineral density.
  • Vision loss.
  • Peripheral nerve damage (numbness, muscle weakness).
  • Thyroid hormone deficiency.
  • Potential carcinogen.

Itai-itai Disease

• Characterized by severe joint and spine pain (Japanese: itai-itai).
• Originates from cadmium accumulation in contaminated rice consumption.
• Symptoms progress over years, potentially leading to:
  • Inability to walk, bedridden.
  • Skeletal deformities and anemia.
  • Severe kidney problems and death.

This quiz explores the health effects of cadmium exposure, including its sources and the levels that are considered acceptable. Learn about how cadmium accumulates in the body and its potential toxic effects on organs over time. Test your knowledge on the recommended daily intake and safe levels of exposure.