title: Could the significantly increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis reported in Italian male steel workers be explained by occupational exposure to cadmium?
abstract: Multiple chronic disease risks have been identified in Italian furnace workers. A range of potential toxins have been identified in foundry dust. We suggest that the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) plays an important role in the development of chronic diseases, notably rheumatoid arthrits, and propose that research into the mechanism of action be undertaken to discover the aetiology of this link.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3LQ UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3LQ UK.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3LQ UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
keywords: Cadmium; Chronic disease; Occupational exposure; Rheumatoid