MONITORING OF EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM IN WELDERS

Cadmium is an element sometimes used in the manufacture of fluxes found in flux-cored electrodes. Cadmium in welding fumes has been reported to be a cause of acute chemical inhalation lung injury. A bilateral pulmonary infiltration representing inflammation hemorrhage and/or edema and a restrictive change are the predominant clinical manifestation. A resolution of the acute condition may be complete or there may be residual impairment of lung function. Interestingly cadmium fume is one of the few specific welding-associated exposures for which a fatal outcome has been described. The presence of cadmium in welding fume has also been implicated in the development of metal fume fever.