ABSTRACT
Inhalation of cadmium compounds can give rise to both acute and chronic effects in the respiratory system. This chapter shows strong evidence of respiratory effects and studies without strong evidence of respiratory effects. It examines of workers predominantly exposed to cadmium dust or to cadmium oxide fumes are presented separately. Dose-response relationships for cadmium oxide dust are scarce and questionable. Human data regarding dose-response relationships are scarce. Even without applying a safety factor when extrapolating from animal data, it is reasonable to regard a cadmium oxide fume concentration of around 1 mg/m over an 8-hr period as immediately dangerous. Lung lesions have been observed after exposure to cadmium oxide fumes, as well as after exposure to cadmium oxide dust and cadmium pigment dust. Exposure to cadmium oxide dust was at levels in the order of 1 mg/m. At comparably low exposure levels smoking is an important confounding and effect-modifying factor.
