Human Health Effects of Chronic Cadmium Exposure

Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous unnecessary transition metal that is harmful to people and animals. Cadmium is naturally prevalent in the environment and is frequently obtained from agriculture and industrial processes. Humans are typically exposed to Cd through filthy food and water, inhalation, and cigarette smoking. Cadmium is stored in plants and animals and has a lengthy half-life of 25–30 years. Observational l evidence suggests that occupational and environmental Cd exposure may be connected to malignancies of the breast, lung, prostate, nasopharynx, pancreas, and kidney, as well as an increased risk of osteoporosis. Because of their capacity to generate metallothioneins (MT), which are Cd-inducible proteins that protect cells, the liver and kidneys are particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of Cd. Cadmium-induced oxidative stress is likely to contribute to a variety of liver and kidney illnesses, and mitochondrial damage is a possible mechanism, as these organelles play an important role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are important intracellular targets for Cd. The determination of dietary Cd consumption is a critical step in estimating Cd body burden and associated health consequences. Chronic Cd exposure is known to have a substantial influence on the kidneys, which are the most vulnerable to Cd toxicity. Urinary Cd (UC), the proportional relationship between Cd accumulation in the kidneys and Cd excretion via urine, is a reliable indicator of Cd exposure. This chapter outlines the numerous pathways of Cd exposure, their impact on human health, and the use of several biomarkers to measure Cd exposure.