[A qualitative evaluation of health risk associated with occupational inhalation exposure to cadmium in production plants in Poland].
In Poland several thousand people work under exposure to cadmium with different concentrations. The concentrations observed range between the level which is not determinable and the level above 0.3 mg/m3, at the MAC value equal to 0.04 mg/m3. In 1993 the cadmium classification was modified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Previously cadmium had been proved to be carcinogenic to animals (group 2B). At present it is classified in group 1, namely in the group of substances proved to be carcinogenic to humans. The cadmium MAC value, mandatory in Poland, has been set on the basis of the data on its chronic, toxic renal effects, but its critical effect in the form of cancer has not been taken into consideration. The author, using the results of epidemiological studies carried out by Thun et al., presented three dose-response functions which describe the relationship between the size of exposure and the probable incidence of lung cancer. The author used a linear multistage model, a Poisson model and a Cox proportional-hazards model; the magnitude of the risk from occupational exposure to concentrations equal to MAC values (0.04 mg/m3) was different for each model and it accounted for 9.02 x 10(-3), 2.04 x 10(-2) and 4.68 x 10(-2), respectively. Each of these values exceeded the acceptable level of the risk from occupational exposure which usually falls within 10(-3).
Szymczak
W
W
Zakładu Epidemiologii Srodowiskowej, Instytutu Medycyny Pracy, Lodzi.
D002104:Cadmium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018570:Risk Assessment
D002104:Cadmium