ILO Home
Go to the home page
Site map | Contact us Français | Español

CISDOC database

Document ID (ISN)26113
CIS number 76-1978
ISSN - Serial title 0025-729X - Medical Journal of Australia
Year 1976
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Patwardhan J.R., Finckh E.S.
Title Fatal cadmium-fume pneumonitis.
Bibliographic information 19 June 1976, Vol.1, No.25, p.962-963 and 966. Illus. 13 ref.
Abstract Case report of a man who developed acute respiratory distress some hours after welding cadmium-plated drums without respiratory protection. The symptoms worsened and he died. Histological examination of the lungs showed changes of acute cadmium-fume pneumonitis, and the lungs and liver showed considerable cadmium absorption. The toxic effects of cadmium represent a considerable hazard, since, even with acute forms of poisoning after inhalation of metallic fumes, there is little warning of impending disaster, and ill effects become manifest only after several hours. Until substitutes for cadmium can be found, appropriate safety measures against metal-fume poisoning must be stressed.
Descriptors (primary) chemical pneumonitis; welding and cutting; cadmium; metal fumes
Descriptors (secondary) acute poisoning; case study; fatalities; autopsy; dyspnoea
Document type -
Subject(s) Occupational pathology
Broad subject area(s)
Browse category(ies) Diseases of the respiratory system (except for pneumoconiosis & similar)
Welding and cutting
Cadmium and compounds
Inorganic substances