In Vivo Neutron Activation Analysis of Organ Cadmium Burdens

In vivo neutron activation measurements of liver and kidney cadmium have been made in 77 exposed workers and 101 referents. Cadmium levels were higher in exposed workers than in referents; both in liver, 25.7 cf. 0.6μg/g, and kidney, 17.9 cf. 2.7 mg. The 19 referents who never smoked had lower mean organ cadmium burdens than the other referents, the difference achieving statistical significance in the kidney, p<.01. Cigaret smoking was estimated to increase cadmium body burden by 370± 140μg/pack year. These referent cadmium levels are similar to, although slightly below, previous in vivo and autopsy data.