Cadmium oxide

Health surveillance data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

health surveillance data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

Not reported

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment.

Cross-reference

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to other study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Occupational exposure to cadmium and kidney dysfunction

Author:

Jakubowski M, Trojanowska B, Kowalska G, Gendek E, Starzyński Z, Krajewska B and Jajte J

Year:

1987

Bibliographic source:

Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health. 59(6):567-577

Materials and methods

Study type:

biological exposure monitoring

Endpoint addressed:

repeated dose toxicity: inhalation

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The relationship between the level and duration of exposure to cadmium and the occurrence of tubular dysfunction was determined in cadmium exposed population (alkaline battery factory employees) by determining the level of cadmium in blood and urine.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Cadmium oxide

EC Number:

215-146-2

EC Name:

Cadmium oxide

Cas Number:

1306-19-0

Molecular formula:

CdO

IUPAC Name:

oxocadmium

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): Cadmium

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Ethical approval:

not specified

Details on study design:

STUDY POPULATION: 102 persons (alkaline battery factory employees working in three different divisions) in study group and 85 persons (53 persons working in the battery factory, but who had never been employed in the production of cadmium batteries and 32 persons working in the textile industry with no known industrial cadmium exposure) in control group
AGE: Mean age 41 years in study group (ranged from 26 to 59 years); Mean age 41 years in the control group (the age of subjects ranged from 22 to 59 years). Persons who had past diseases which might have had an effect on kidney functions were eliminated from the study after a questionnaire concerning his medical history and personal habits.
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN AND SMOKERS: In the study group, women constituted 36 % and smokers 44 % of population In the control group, the respective values amounted to 47 and 32 %.
SAMPLE COLLECTION: The blood samples were collected by venous puncture. Spot urine samples were collected before the workshift.

Results and discussion

Results:

- Mean value of Cd-B in the whole control group was higher than in cotton factory workers, which indicates relatively high current absorption of cadmium by members of the control group from the battery factory. However, since there were no significant differences in other parameters, the upper limit of the 95% CI obtained in the combined control group was adopted as an upper limit of excretion of B2-M and RBP in urine.
- Excretion of low molecular proteins was significantly increased, as compared to control, in two groups of workers with the highest exposure. For details, see table 1 in the attached document.
- Excretion of B2-M and RBP in urine was higher than the accepted upper limits of 380 and 130 µg/g creat. in about 20 % of workers. For details, see fig. 1 in the attached document
- Frequency of cases of kidney dysfunction increased with the period of employment. For details, see table 2 in the attached document.
- The dose-response curves show that the probability of kidney dysfunction in 10 % of population occurs at the integrated exposure index of about 300 to 400 Cd-B x years. Probability of kidney dysfunction in 10 % of the population occurs at a Cd-U level of about 10 to 15 µg Cd/g creat.

Any other information on results incl. tables

None

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Under the conditions of the test, Cd-B and Cd-U levels of 10 µg/L and 10 µg/g creat. , respectively was accepted as the recommended health-based limits in occupational exposure. There is a probability of kidney tubular dysfunction in 10% of population at the integrated exposure index value (Cd-B x years) of 300 to 400, which means 30 to 40 years of employment.

Executive summary:

A study was conducted for determining the relationship between the level and duration of exposure to cadmium and the occurrence of tubular dysfunction.

 

The study group consisted of 102 persons (alkaline battery factory employee) and the control group of 85 persons. Cadmium in blood (Cd-B) and cadmium in urine (Cd-U), as well as β2-microglobulin (B₂-M), retinol binding protein (RBP), amino acids in urine were determined.

 

Exposure to cadmium was high; Cd-B and Cd-U concentrations were higher than recommended, 10 µg/L and 10µg/g creat. in 65 and 56% of workers, respectively. Excretion of B2-M and RBP in urine was higher than the accepted upper limits of 380 and 130 µg/g creat. in about 20% of the workers. To evaluate the admissible period of occupational exposure to cadmium, an integrated exposure index (Cd-B x years of exposure) is proposed. According to the dose response relationship, an increase of low molecular protein excretion in urine can be expected in 10% of the cases at Cd-U amounting to 10 to 15 µg/g creat. and Cd-B x years of about 300 to 400.

 

Under the conditions of the test, Cd-B and Cd-U levels of 10 µ/L and 10 µg/g creat , respectively was accepted as the recommended health-based limits in occupational exposure and risk of occurrence of tubular dysfunction can take place at the integrated exposure index value (Cd-B x years) of 300 to 400, which means 30 to 40 years of employment.