Occupational cadmium exposure and renal status.

With chronic low-level exposure to cadmium (Cd) the kidney is considered to be the organ at risk. Thus, permissible exposure levels (PEL) should be established to protect against the risk of renal dysfunction for a working lifetime. In this study, the prevalence of renal dysfunction among 33 male subjects exposed to Cd fumes at and below the current PEL of 100 microgramsCd/m3 for at least 21 years, was 21% (adjusted for confounding factors). The average cumulative time-weighted exposure in subjects with abnormal renal function was 1137 micrograms/m3 years, which was significantly different (p = .02) from subjects with normal renal function. These findings are consistent with those of other investigators and suggest that the current PEL does not protect against the risk of renal dysfunction, secondary to Cd fume exposure, for a working lifetime (approximately equal to 40 years).