Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
The review highlights the extensive research and findings concerning the carcinogenic effects of cadmium exposure, particularly its link to various cancers in both humans and animals. Cadmium, a heavy metal commonly found in industrial settings and the environment, has been classified as a known human carcinogen by major organizations, including the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP). The review consolidates animal and human studies, providing solid evidence of cadmium’s carcinogenicity, especially in cases of lung, prostate, and kidney cancers, among others. Studies using different exposure routes and durations show clear indications of cadmium’s ability to induce tumors at various tissue sites. These findings underscore the need for tighter regulations and public health actions to limit exposure.
Who is affected?
The primary groups affected by cadmium exposure include workers in industries such as mining, battery manufacturing, and cadmium processing. These workers are at high risk due to their direct exposure to cadmium compounds. Additionally, individuals living in areas with high environmental cadmium pollution, such as near industrial plants or cadmium-contaminated agricultural sites, face an increased risk of exposure. Populations involved in certain agricultural practices, like rice farming with contaminated water, also face significant risks. The general public may be exposed through food, cigarette smoke, and environmental air pollution, particularly in regions with high industrial activity.
Most important findings
The evidence strongly supports that cadmium exposure leads to various cancers, with lung cancer being the most consistently observed. Studies show that cadmium exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly among workers in cadmium-related industries, even when controlling for confounding factors like smoking and other metal exposures. The document also mentions possible associations with prostate, kidney, and breast cancers, though the evidence for prostate cancer has been less conclusive in recent studies. Animal studies support these human findings, with cadmium inducing tumors in several organs, including the lungs, kidneys, liver, and pancreas. Notably, cadmium’s genotoxicity, which includes the disruption of DNA repair and the induction of oxidative stress, plays a significant role in its carcinogenic activity. The study also discusses the importance of biomarkers such as urinary cadmium levels in assessing long-term exposure.
Key implications of Cadmium Carcinogenicity
The findings from this document suggest a significant health risk posed by cadmium exposure, with far-reaching implications for regulatory bodies and public health efforts. For industries, this means stricter control and monitoring of cadmium exposure in the workplace, particularly in high-risk sectors such as mining and battery production. Regulatory actions might include revising permissible exposure limits, implementing more rigorous safety measures, and ensuring proper environmental controls. From a public health perspective, the evidence calls for the development of better screening and surveillance systems, particularly for populations with high environmental or occupational cadmium exposure. This also has implications for food certification, as the food industry must be vigilant about cadmium levels in food products, especially in regions affected by contamination. Over time, global regulatory frameworks will likely align more closely to manage cadmium exposure, promoting stricter standards.
Citation
Huff, J., Lunn, R. M., Waalkes, M. P., Tomatis, L., & Infante, P. F. (2007). Cadmium-induced Cancers in Animals and in Humans. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 13(2), 202. https://doi.org/10.1179/oeh.2007.13.2.202
Cadmium is a persistent heavy metal that accumulates in kidneys and bones. Dietary sources include cereals, cocoa, shellfish and vegetables, while smokers and industrial workers receive higher exposures. Studies link cadmium to kidney dysfunction, bone fractures and cancer.
