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Cadmium Cadmium
Exposure Evaluation

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:
  • 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.
  • Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development. Contains chemical health risk assessments and regulatory information.

 Safety and
 Health Topics
 
  Cadmium
  OSHA Standards
  Health Effects
  Exposure Evaluation
  Possible Solutions
  Additional
Information
  Credits
 
Content Reviewed 05/19/2009
 
 


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