Association of cadmium exposure with rapidly progressive emphysema in a smoker

Abstract

Rapidly progressive emphysema developed in a 59 year old smoker after exposure to cadmium fumes in a factory. Very high levels of cadmium in air samples at the workplace and in the patient's blood, urine, and lung tissue confirmed massive exposure. These data strongly suggest an association between the patient's cadmium exposure and the development of emphysema.