Cadmium – Uses, Health Effects And Environmental Effects

Learn which are the uses, environmental effects and health effects of cadmium.

Cadmium (Cd) is emitted to water, soil, and air by fossil fuel combustion, non-ferrous metal refining and mining, application, and manufacture of phosphate fertilizers, waste disposal and incineration. It is not usually present in the environment as a pure metal, however, it is most often found in lead, zinc, and copper ores.

Uses of cadmium

Much of the cadmium that enters the physical body by ingestion comes from terrestrial foods. The daily intake of this metal through food varies by geographic region.

Adverse health effects of cadmium

This toxic metal is of no use to the human body and is toxic even at very low levels. Once absorbed this metal is efficiently retained in the human body, in which it accumulates throughout life. Occupational exposure to cadmium can lead to numerous adverse health effects including cancer.

Kidney stones are also common in cadmium-exposed populations, particularly in exposed workers. Chronic cadmium exposure is strongly connected with progressive renal tubular dysfunction. Urinary, it has been used as a biomarker to indicate ongoing and chronic exposure level in general population.

The latest studies confirm that this metal is associated with human pancreatic cancer. Moreover, it increases lipid peroxidation and additionally depletes glutathione and some antioxidants. It also promotes the production of inflammatory cytokines.

According to some studies in animals, younger animals absorb more Cd than adults.

Environmental effects of cadmium

This metal strongly adsorbs to organic matter in soils. Once on the ground, it moves very easily through soil layers and is taken up into the food chain by uptake by plants such as root crops, leafy vegetables, cereals, and legumes.

A plant-based diet can considerably reduce the amount of this metal taken into the body from food. Some studies suggest that more Cd is absorbed into the physical body if the diet is high in aft and low in protein, calcium, or iron.

Reference
http://www.yourhealthremedy.com/harmf...
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Cadmium – Uses, Health Effects And Environmental Effects
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