Smell impairment in workers occupationally exposed to cadmium.
ENT and olfactometric examinations were carried out on 73 workers at an electrochemical plant involved in the production of cadmium-nickel batteries, where cadmium fumes were emitted into the workplace. Exposure levels exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations by about 1-2 times. The controls included 43 non-exposed, age- and cigarette-smoking-matched people. The olfactometric tests were carried out by the blast injection method, using natural coffee, aniseed, lemon and mint oils; two threshold measurements were assessed: maximum perceptible odour (MPO) and minimum identifiable odour (MIO). In addition, blood chemistries and urinalysis were carried out. The study revealed the smell lesion in 45.2% of the exposed group vs 4.6% of the controls. A statistically significant correlation between olfactory dysfunction and cadmium concentrations in the blood and urine was found; however, no correlation with the duration of employment was observed. It seems most likely that cigarette smoking, which is a considerable source of cadmium, may intensify this dysfunction, hence heavy smokers should not work in conditions of cadmium exposure.
Sulkowski
W J
WJ
ENT & Audiology Division, The Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland.
Rydzewski
B
B
Miarzynska
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002105:Cadmium Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004563:Electrochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009812:Odorants; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D002104:Cadmium