CadmiumOne of the newer element discovered in 1817. It occurs in the nature with Zinc & it is a by-product during smelting of Zinc & Lead Ores.

Uses:- 1) Electroplating 2) To manufacture Pigments 3) As a Stabilizer in Plastic 4) Nickel Cadmium Rechargeable Batteries

Metabolism:- Poorly absorbed through the gut, only 6% is absorbed. Main absorption is through lungs. In blood about 70% is bound to RBCs. & it tends to accumulate in Liver & Kidneys. These two organs contain 50% Body Burdon. The Body Burdon of Smokers is much higher than Non Smokers.

Biological ½ life is about 10years.

In the tissues it is mainly bound to Metallo-Thiamin, which ia a Zinc Storage Protein with unusual component of Amino Acid.

It is excreted in the urine largely as Cadmium Metallo Thiamine Complex, but the rate of excretion is very low so biological ½ life is longer. Small amount also appear in Bile, Saliva, Hair, & Nails.

Toxicity:- I) Acute Toxicity:- Mainly due to inhalation of Cadmium Oxide Fumes. It takes

10 hours to develop signs & symptoms which include:-

1) Retrosternal Pain 2) Dyspnoea 3) Cough 4) Cough 5) Symptoms like Metal Fume Fever

II) Chronic Toxicity:- 1) Kidney:- Kidney is Principle Target Organ. The effects are

a) Proteinurea:- The earliest sign

b) Appearance of low molecular weight Proteins like Retinal Binding Proteins, β Microglobulin, and Urinary Enzyme known as N-Acetyl-β-D- Glucosaminadase

c) AminoAcid urea

d) Glycosurea

e) Phosphateurea

f) Increased Urinary Excretion of Calcim

g) Urinary Stones:- Mainly Calcium Stones

2) Liver:- Liver has some Protective Device. So damage damage due to Cadmium is not significant

3) Lungs:- 1) Most common is Emphysema

2) Carcinoma of Lungs

4) Anaemia due to interference with Copper Metabolism

5) Effect on Teeth:- Discolouration of Teeth

6) Effect on Prostate:- Prostate Cancer

7) Itai – Itai Disease:- Pain in the Back, Legs and number of pathological features develop due to Osteomalesia.

Mechanism of Osteomalesia:-a) Cadmium may develop Fanconi Like Syndrome. Thus

HypoPhosphatemic Osteomalesia may occur .

b) Failure of Calcitrol Formation in the renal tubular cells.

C) Disturbance of Vit. D Metabolic Pathway due to interaction of Cadmium Renal Mitochondrial Hydroxilase of Vit D3 Endocrine Complex (Latest Concept)

8) Hypertension

Treatment:- 1) Chelating Agents like BAL & EDTA:- They increase urinary excretion of

Cadmium, but their effectiveness diminishes with time, because they

Remove only that part of Cadmium, which is not bound to

Metallo-Thiamine. Thus they have little effect in Chronic Poisoning

2) Removal from Exposure

3) Monitor Renal Functions

4) To Monitor Sub-Clinical Osteomalesia

5) General & Symptomatic Treatment