Occupational Exposure to Cadmium and Its Compounds: A Review on Health Effects and Monitoring Techniques

Background: Cadmium is a hazardous metal prevalent in various industries, posing significant health risks to workers.This article examines the health dangers of cadmium in indoor and outdoor environments as well as discusses methods for sampling and analyzing cadmiumcontaining compounds. Material and Method:This study involved a literature search in databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on articles published between 2015 and 2023.Keywords included "Health," "Hazards," "sampling technique," "Instruments," "Monitoring," and "Cadmium."The inclusion criteria targeted studies investigating health effects and monitoring techniques published in English or Persian.Results: Out of 341 identified articles, 84 were selected: 51 had focused on health effects, while 33 had addressed monitoring methods.Most studies had examined cardiovascular effects, with fewer on neurological impacts.Five studies had investigated biological monitoring, and three air monitoring.Cadmium exposure can severely affect the respiratory system, kidneys, and bones, leading to conditions such as asthma, kidney failure, and osteoporosis.Many countries have set the occupational exposure limit for cadmium at 0.01 mg/m, highlighting the need for worker protection.Filters emerged as the primary medium for cadmium adsorption.Conclusions: High cadmium exposure is linked to acute and chronic health issues.According to studies, elevated air levels of cadmium pose serious health risks, particularly in industrial settings.Improving the accuracy of sampling methods and utilizing safety equipment such as respirators and ventilation systems are crucial in preventing exposure limits from being surpassed.Continuous monitoring of air pollution levels is also essential.