Evolution of cadmium-induced renal dysfunction in workers removed from exposure.

A retrospective examination of the medical records gathered during several surveys carried out among cadmium workers has permitted the identification of a group of 19 workers who had been examined before and after removal from cadmium exposure. All the workers had been exposed for more than 15 a (range 15.6-41.7 a). Their last examination took place from 0.3 to 7.9 a after the date of removal from cadmium exposure. At that time, all the workers exhibited sign(s) of cadmium-induced renal dysfunction. Comparison of the renal function parameters (serum creatinine, total proteinuria, aminoaciduria, albuminuria, beta 2-microglobulinuria, and the urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein) before and after the cessation of exposure indicated that cadmium-induced renal lesions, albeit of slow progression, are not reversible when exposure ceases.