Cadmium and Lung Cancer

What Is Cadmium?

Cadmium is a toxic, naturally occurring metal found in the Earth’s crust, often in combination with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, or sulfur. It is commonly extracted during the mining and refining of other metals like zinc, lead, and copper. Cadmium’s unique properties, such as corrosion resistance, malleability, and vibrant pigmentation, have made it a key component in several industries, including battery manufacturing, metal coatings, and pigments for plastics and ceramics.

Exposure to cadmium has been linked to various cancers, including lung and prostate cancer, as well as kidney damage, bone disease, and environmental contamination. Though cadmium itself does not directly cause mesothelioma, its interaction with other carcinogens, such as asbestos, significantly increases cancer risks for those in high-risk occupations.

For individuals diagnosed with cadmium-related illnesses or exposed to hazardous levels of this toxin in the workplace, understanding your risks and legal options is critical. This article explores cadmium’s dangers, its impact on health and the environment, and actionable steps for seeking justice and compensation.

Can Cadmium Cause Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), or heart (pericardium). Unlike cadmium, asbestos is the only known direct cause of mesothelioma. However, exposure is still highly relevant for individuals at risk because it can significantly increase the likelihood of developing this cancer when combined with asbestos or other carcinogens.

Cadmium and asbestos share similarities in that both are naturally occurring materials historically valued for industrial use. Workers in mining, construction, and manufacturing often encounter both substances simultaneously, leading to compounded health risks. Prolonged exposure has been linked to lung cancer, and its toxic effects can exacerbate the damage caused by asbestos exposure.

Understanding the role of combined exposures is crucial for individuals who develop mesothelioma or other cancers. If an employer, building owner, or site manager fails to properly manage and mitigate the risks of cadmium and asbestos in the workplace, they may be held liable. This includes not adhering to safety standards for handling and removing these materials.

Where Is Found?

Cadmium is a naturally occurring metal found in small quantities within rocks, soil, and the Earth’s crust. It is typically bound with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, or sulfur and is rarely encountered in its pure form. Natural processes like volcanic eruptions, weathering of rocks, and tectonic shifts release cadmium into the air, soil, and water, contributing to its environmental presence.

Industrially, cadmium is released during the mining, smelting, or refining of metals such as zinc, copper, and lead. These processes, alongside activities like waste incineration and recycling of cadmium-containing products, are significant sources of pollution. Approximately 20,000 tons of cadmium are produced globally each year, with over 80% used in the manufacturing of nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries. Other applications include pigments, coatings, and plastics.

Who’s at Risk for This Exposure?

This metal is present in all soils and rocks, contributing to its natural environmental presence, but human activities such as mining, smelting, and the disposal of cadmium-containing products release hazardous levels into the air, water, and soil. Occupational exposure in industries like construction and manufacturing often involves inhalation or ingestion of particles, increasing the risk of severe health issues.

Cadmium is most dangerous when released in a way that it can be inhaled or ingested. Employees with the highest risk for this type of exposure are those in the mining, construction, and manufacturing industries. Activities include fossil fuel combustion, metal production, and manufacturing batteries, plastics, coatings, and solar panels.

High-risk jobs involve construction, welding, electroplating, metal machining, and painting. Some fields outside of high-risk industries that also carry a chance for exposure are waste management employees. This includes compost workers, trash collectors, landfill managers, municipal waste incinerators, or those who recycle electronics and plastics.

Adverse Health Effects of Cadmium

Cadmium exposure is highly toxic and can lead to severe health issues. When it enters the body, it accumulates in the liver, kidneys, and bones. Acute exposure to high levels, often through inhalation, can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and lung damage. Chronic exposure—prolonged contact with lower levels over time—can result in kidney disease, bone damage, or chronic lung conditions.

Cadmium is classified as a group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is most dangerous when inhaled, with strong links to cancers of the lung, prostate, kidney, pancreas, and possibly the breast and urinary tract.

The Strong Heart Study, a landmark research project, sheds further light on the long-term effects of cadmium exposure. Conducted among 3,792 American Indian participants across Arizona, Oklahoma, and the Dakotas, the study tracked levels in urine and cancer mortality over 20 years. It found that even low-to-moderate exposure significantly increased the risk of cancer. For individuals in the highest exposure group, the risk of dying from lung cancer was more than double (Hazard Ratio: 2.27), while the risk of pancreatic cancer mortality was more than twice as high (HR: 2.40).

Notably, the study estimated that 9% of lung cancer deaths linked to smoking could also be attributed to cadmium exposure, highlighting its compounding effect alongside other carcinogens. While exposure alone cannot directly cause mesothelioma, it does contribute to the overall cancer risk, especially in individuals with additional exposure to asbestos or tobacco.

Negative Environmental Effects

As a non-essential heavy metal, cadmium has no use in biological systems. When inhaled or ingested, it can accumulate to dangerous levels for vertebrates, aquatic invertebrates, and algae and can cause kidney damage. Aquatic, freshwater and marine life are the most affected by high levels of cadmthis metal in the environment released from anthropogenic (human) emissions.

Symptoms of Cadmium Poisoning and Similarities to Mesothelioma

The symptoms of cadmium poisoning vary depending on the method and duration of exposure, with acute and chronic cases presenting distinctly different clinical profiles. Acute inhalation often leads to flu-like symptoms, including sore throat, fever, pleuritic chest pain, coughing, and difficulty breathing (dyspnea). Some patients may also experience bronchospasms and tachycardia, highlighting the severe respiratory distress associated with this type of exposure. Acute cadmium ingestion, on the other hand, typically resembles food poisoning, presenting with severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and intense abdominal pain.

Chronic Cadmium Poisoning

Chronic cadmium poisoning develops from prolonged exposure to low levels of the toxin, often in occupational or environmental settings. Over time, symptoms become more systemic, particularly affecting the skeletal system. Patients may experience painful spine and joint injuries, intense bone pain, and low levels of bone mineralization. Chronic exposure often leads to conditions like osteoporosis, osteomalacia, long bone distortion, severe skeletal decalcification, and an increased history of fractures.

Other findings associated with chronic cadmium exposure include a unique yellowish fringe around the teeth (“cadmium ring”), anosmia (loss of the sense of smell), and mild anemia. These signs are less common but may indicate long-term absorption.

For people with respiratory symptoms, such as those caused by acute inhalation or chronic exposure, there is a notable overlap with conditions like mesothelioma, where pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and persistent cough are also hallmark symptoms. This underscores the importance of thorough medical evaluation to distinguish between related illnesses and other occupational diseases like mesothelioma, particularly in individuals with known exposure to toxic agents.

Testing for Cadmium Poisoning

Cadmium poisoning can be diagnosed through a combination of laboratory tests and clinical evaluations. Urine tests are the most reliable for detecting long-term exposure, as it accumulates in the body over time and is excreted through urine. Blood tests, on the other hand, are more effective for identifying recent or acute exposure. Because cadmium often affects the kidneys, tests measuring kidney function, such as serum creatinine and protein levels in urine, are commonly used to assess potential damage.

In cases of chronic exposure, imaging studies like bone density scans may reveal osteoporosis or other skeletal issues linked to it’s impact on bone health. Physical examinations can also identify signs of poisoning, including a yellowish “cadmium ring” around the teeth, loss of smell (anosmia), or mild anemia. A detailed history of potential exposure, whether from occupational or environmental sources, is critical for guiding these diagnostic approaches.

Prompt testing and diagnosis are essential for mitigating the long-term effects of cadmium poisoning and developing an effective treatment plan.

Understanding Cancer Risks and Seeking Legal Aid

If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, mesothelioma, or another illness potentially linked to cadmium exposure, it’s important to understand your rights. While cadmium does not directly cause mesothelioma, it increases cancer risks when combined with carcinogens like asbestos, especially in high-risk industries such as manufacturing, mining, and construction. Employers must provide safe working environments; negligence in addressing toxic exposure can make them liable. Consulting a medical professional to confirm exposure-related health issues is a critical first step, as it provides the necessary evidence to support a legal claim.

To protect your health, follow preventive measures such as using protective equipment, avoiding direct contact with hazardous materials, and ensuring proper workplace ventilation. If you believe your illness is linked to cadmium exposure, you may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Fill out our free case evaluation to explore your legal options and take action to secure the justice you deserve.