Clinical and biochemical abnormalities in coppersmiths exposed to cadmium

Lancet. 1976 Aug 21;2(7982):396-8. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(76)92409-0.

Abstract

5(18.5%) of a group 27 coppersmiths exposed to cadmium fume had stone disease. When compared with a control group of assembly workers in the same factory they had evidence of renal impairment as shown by blood biochemistry and proteinuria. A greater tendency to liver damage was found in the coppersmiths. There was evidence that restrictive airways disease was more common in the coppersmiths than in the control group. Blood-cadmium concentrations were significantly higher in the coppersmiths and in the assembly workers than in a reference population.

MeSH terms

  • Cadmium / metabolism
  • Cadmium Poisoning / complications*
  • Cadmium Poisoning / physiopathology
  • Copper
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Heart / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Calculi / chemically induced
  • Liver / physiopathology
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Metallurgy*
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Phosphates / blood
  • Proteinuria / chemically induced
  • Scotland

Substances

  • Phosphates
  • Cadmium
  • Copper
  • Creatinine