Cadmium exposure in tobacco workers: possible renal effects

Cadmium is a nephrotoxic metal widely used in industry and the main source of Cd in general population is smoking. Considering that the source of Cd in cigarettes is the tobacco Leaf, the exposure to Cd was evaluated in workers employed at a tobacco leaf processing factory. Blood and urinary Cd Levels were measured by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry in 87 workers and 35 controls. Urinary enzymes, total protein, albumin and uric acid were also determined to investigate the possible nephrotoxic effects of Cd