The association between cadmium exposure and chronic airflow limitation and emphysema: the Swedish CArdioPulmonary BioImage Study (SCAPIS pilot)

Cadmium is a metal that is widely spread in the environment and human populations are exposed to it through food, mainly grains and vegetables. The tobacco plants accumulate cadmium, and tobacco smokers accumulate the cadmium in tobacco smoke, which is absorbed in the lungs [1]. Occupational exposure to cadmium has been linked to the development of emphysema and impaired lung function [2, 3]. Increased levels of blood cadmium (B-Cd) or urinary cadmium are associated with lower lung function, and it has been suggested that cadmium, in the low-dose interval, is a risk factor for impaired lung function [1, 4].

Source: European Respiratory Journal - November 20, 2019 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Toren, K., Olin, A.-C., Johnsson, A., Vikgren, J., Forsgard, N., Bergström, G., Sallsten, G., Barregard, L. Tags: Original Articles: Research letters Source Type: research