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Cadmium |
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Evaluation |
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It is important that once
the potential exposures are identified, an exposure assessment is conducted. Standard particulate and fume sampling techniques are
used to evaluate cadmium exposures. Potential for cadmium ingestion may be
indicated by wipe sampling. Biological monitoring for urinary cadmium biomarkers
is also useful.
Evaluation
- Cadmium. OSHA Publication 3136-08R, (2003).
Also available as a
491 KB PDF, 29
pages. Provides a general overview of cadmium related to OSHA standards.
- Occupational Health Guidelines
for Chemical Hazards. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS),
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No
81-123, (1981, January). Supplements, (1988-1995).
Provides information about exposure limits, health hazards, chemical and
physical properties, monitoring and measuring procedures, personal protective
equipment (PPE), etc. Note that exposure limit information is dated. Consult the
current OSHA standard requirements. These are individual sections of the
document, Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards:
- Cadmium Dust (as Cadmium)
- Cadmium Fume (as Cadmium)
Sampling and Analysis
Exposures should be evaluated with standard total dust
sampling techniques for comparison to the OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL). Other methods for cadmium may be
found in the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM), and in the NIOSH Cadmium and compounds (as Cd)
- Method No. 5042, (1994,
August 15), 20 KB
PDF, 4 pages.
OSHA
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- Elements by ICP (Nitric/Perchloric Acid Ashing).
Method No. 7300, 116 KB
PDF,
8 pages.
- Elements in blood or tissue. Method No. 8005, 38 KB
PDF, 6 pages.
- Metals in Urine. Method No. 8310, 26 KB
PDF, 5 pages.
For additional information, see OSHA's
Sampling and Analysis Safety and Health Topics Page.
Biological Standards
Interpreting Biological Sampling
OSHA regulates cadmium under
29 CFR 1910.1027 for general industry and
29 CFR
1926.1127 for the construction industry. The standards include biological monitoring
(29 CFR 1910.1027 Appendix F). If
cadmium in urine exceeds 3 µg/g creatinine, or if Beta-2
microglobulin (indicating excessive protein excretion) exceeds 300 µg/g
creatinine, or if Dc in whole blood exceeds 5 µg/liter, a reassessment of the
employee's exposure and follow up medical surveillance is required. Note:
The medical action/removal levels have been reduced as of January 1, 1999. See
29 CFR 1910.1027 Appendix A, Table A for the new levels (scroll to find Table A). There are OSHA
Separate Engineering Control Airborne Limits (SECALs) for certain processes.
Respiratory Exposure Limits
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for cadmium are 10 µg/m3
[8 hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA)] and 2 µg/m3 [8 hour TWA] for respirable fraction. OSHA
regulates cadmium under
29 CFR 1910.1027
for general industry and
29 CFR
1926.1127
for construction with an 8 hour Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 5 µg/m3.
- Chemical Sampling Information (CSI).
OSHA. Presents, in concise form, data on a large number of chemical substances
that may be encountered in industrial hygiene investigations:
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Cadmium.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) International Safety Cards (ICSC), (1994). Summarizes essential health and safety
information on cadmium in its use at the "shop floor" level by workers and
employers in factories, agriculture, construction, and other workplaces.
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Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development.
Contains chemical health risk assessments and regulatory information.
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