Cadmium

Overview

Cadmium is a natural heavy metal found in the earth's crust. It has no useful purpose in the human body. When people are exposed to high levels or over a long time, it can build up in the body and harm the kidneys, bones, and lungs. This is sometimes called cadmium poisoning, but most people with low-level exposure never feel sick.

Low levels of cadmium are common in food, soil, and air, but serious poisoning is not common in everyday life. It mainly affects people with certain jobs or people who live near industrial sites.

Cadmium exposure mostly affects people who work in metal smelting, battery making, welding, or plastics factories. It can also affect smokers, people who live near contaminated industrial areas, and people who eat large amounts of rice or shellfish from polluted regions.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• No symptoms at all after low-level exposure
• Flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, and muscle aches after breathing in cadmium fumes
• Chest tightness, cough, or shortness of breath
• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps after swallowing cadmium
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Foamy urine or swelling in the hands and feet, which can be signs of kidney problems

Symptoms in children

• Children can be exposed by putting dirty hands or toys in their mouths in contaminated soil.
• Possible symptoms include poor appetite, stomach pains, and nausea.
• Long-term exposure in childhood may affect growth and kidney development. If you are worried, speak to your GP.

Symptoms in older adults

• Older adults are more vulnerable to cadmium's effects on the kidneys and bones.
• Symptoms might include bone pain, easier fractures, and a gradual decline in kidney function.
• These problems are often noticed through blood or urine tests, not by how you feel.

Causes

Main causes

• Breathing in cadmium fumes or dust at work, for example in metal smelting, welding, battery making, or plastics manufacturing
• Swallowing contaminated food or water, such as rice or shellfish grown in areas with high cadmium in the soil
• Smoking tobacco, because cigarette smoke contains cadmium

Risk factors

• Working in industries that use or produce cadmium
• Living near mines, smelters, or hazardous waste sites
• Smoking or regular exposure to secondhand smoke
• Eating large amounts of food from areas known to have contaminated soil or water

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you suddenly have trouble breathing, chest pain, or severe stomach pain after a possible cadmium exposure, call your local emergency number immediately.
• If you develop a bad cough and fever after welding or working with hot metals, seek medical help the same day.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have ongoing tiredness, bone pain, or changes in urination and you have been exposed to cadmium at work or through smoking, book an appointment with your GP.
• If you work in a high-risk job and are worried about long-term exposure, ask your doctor or occupational health team about testing.

Diagnosis

There is no single symptom that proves cadmium poisoning. Your doctor will ask about your job, home, smoking history, and any symptoms you have noticed. They may listen to your lungs and check your blood pressure. If they think cadmium exposure is possible, they can arrange blood or urine tests through a local laboratory.

Tests that may be done

• Blood cadmium test – this shows recent exposure
• Urine cadmium test – this shows long-term build-up of cadmium in the body
• Kidney function blood test – this checks how well your kidneys are filtering waste
• Urine protein test – this looks for proteins that leak into the urine when kidneys are irritated

What to expect at your appointment

Tests usually take a few minutes. You do not need to stop eating, drinking, or smoking before these tests unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Results can take days to weeks. Your GP will explain what the results mean and whether you need to be referred to a specialist, such as a kidney doctor.

Treatment

There is no quick medicine that removes cadmium from the body. Treatment focuses on stopping any further exposure, protecting your kidneys and lungs, and managing symptoms. If you have very high recent exposure, you may need to be treated in hospital with fluids and supportive care.

Self-care at home

• Use all safety equipment and follow workplace rules if you may be exposed at work
• Wash your hands thoroughly before eating, drinking, or smoking if you have touched dust, soil, or metals
• If you smoke, getting support to quit will lower one of the most common sources of cadmium
• Keep living spaces free of dust and dirt that might be contaminated

Medical treatments

Doctors treat cadmium exposure by first removing you from the source. They may give oxygen and inhalers for breathing problems, fluids for dehydration, and medicines to help with symptoms like nausea. If kidney damage is found, you may see a kidney specialist who can monitor your kidney function and help you protect it over time. Treatment is always based on your test results and symptoms.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not a treatment for cadmium exposure itself. If cadmium has caused a serious complication, such as a kidney problem, surgery might be needed for that complication, but not for the cadmium directly.

Living with this condition

If you have been exposed to cadmium, the most important thing is to avoid more exposure. This may mean changing how you work, quitting smoking, or being careful about food sources. You may also need regular check-ups to keep an eye on your kidneys and bones.

Lifestyle tips

• If you smoke, seek help to quit – your GP or local stop-smoking service can support you
• Avoid using unventilated heaters or furnaces indoors where cadmium materials might be burned
• If your workplace uses cadmium, follow all safety training and never eat or smoke in the work area

Diet and exercise

Eating a balanced diet that includes enough calcium and iron may help your body absorb less cadmium from food. Regular physical activity supports lung and bone health, but if you have breathing problems or bone pain, talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Finding out about a workplace exposure or worrying about your health can be stressful and cause anxiety. It is completely normal to feel this way. Speaking to your GP, an occupational health advisor, or a counsellor can help. If your mood is low or you are finding it hard to cope, reach out for support.

Prevention

Most cadmium exposure can be prevented. The main ways are controlling dust and fumes in the workplace, not smoking, and following local food safety advice. If you live in an area with known contamination, follow guidance from your local health authority.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine against cadmium.

Screening programmes

People in high-risk jobs should have regular health checks and workplace monitoring. There is no routine community screening for cadmium for the general public, but doctors can test you if they think you have been exposed.

Complications

If left untreated

• Long-term kidney damage that can slowly worsen
• Lung problems from repeated breathing in of cadmium fumes
• Weak bones that break more easily
• An increased risk of certain cancers with long-term high exposure

Long-term outlook

Finding out early is the best way to protect your health. Even if cadmium has built up in your body, many people do well with careful monitoring and healthy habits. Your doctor can help you protect your kidneys and bones, and there are often many useful steps you can take to stay well.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.