Why do you need it?
Cadmium is a soft, ductile metal, chemically similar to zinc which can be found wherever zinc is found, including in food and soil.
With 50% of cadmium exposure occurring via the lungs, workers may be at risk of exposure to cadmium through:
- processes like welding, soldering, oxy-cutting and smelting
- welding or oxy-cutting of cadmium alloy and cadmium plate
- soldering or brazing
- electroplating
- manufacture of cadmium alloys
- extraction of cadmium from mineral ore smelters
- charging cadmium powders into process plant
- grinding, discharging and packaging cadmium powders
- working with nickel-cadmium batteries
- manufacture and handling of paints and plastics containing cadmium pigments.
Cadmium is a respiratory irritant with initial symptoms of inhalational exposure including irritation of the throat and mucosa and cough.
Chronic effects long-term work-related exposure to cadmium has caused severe chronic effects, predominantly in the lungs and kidneys. Most cadmium compounds have been classified as Category 1B carcinogen.
How does it work?
Due to the damaging effects of cadmium exposure, health monitoring and early intervention is required to protect workers who are required to handle cadmium containing material. It also protects those who are suspected or concerned they have been exposed to cadmium, where risk assessment has determined significant risk to health.
Health monitoring for cadmium exposure should occur:
- prior to commencing work involving cadmium
- at scheduled periods during employment involving handling of cadmium or cadmium containing material
- at termination of cadmium work
- after suspected exposure to cadmium
- if a worker is concerned they’ve been exposed to cadmium
- on return to work after exposure to cadmium
- as part of an annual spot urine testing requirement.
Biological monitoring for cadmium exposure utilises:
- urine cadmium testing
The medical assessment requirements include:
- demographic, medical and occupational history
- records of personal exposure
- physical examination with emphasis on the respiratory system
- standard respiratory questionnaire to be completed
- standardised respiratory function tests including for example, FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC
- spot urine urinary cadmium and β2-microglobulin
- health advice, including counselling on the effect of smoking on cadmium exposure
- review by an appropriately experienced doctor
- medical counselling should occur after a suspected exposure.
We can conduct both medical assessments and biological monitoring as part of health monitoring requirements. These assessments can be conducted in our clinics or on your site (for minimum numbers).
