Authors: Johannes Godt1 email, Franziska Scheidig2 email, Christian Grosse-Siestrup3 email, Vera Esche3 email, Paul Brandenburg3 email, Andrea Reich3 email and David A Groneberg2 email

Source: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 2006

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) has been in industrial use for a long period of time. Its serious toxicity moved into scientific focus during the middle of the last century. In this review, we discuss historic and recent developments of toxicological and epidemiological questions, including exposition sources, resorption pathways and organ damage processes.

Background Cadmium (group IIB of the periodic table of elements) is a heavy metal posing severe risks to human health. Up to this day, it could not be shown that cadmium has any physiological function within the human body. Interest has therefore risen in its biohazardous potential. As first described by Friedrich Stromeyer (Göttingen, Germany) in 1817, cadmium intoxication can lead to kidney, bone, and pulmonary damages.

In this article, we review recent developments and findings of cadmium toxicology.