Lung function in workers using cadmium containing solders.

The lung function of 57 male workers previously exposed to cadmium in connection with the use of cadmium containing solders was examined by spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEV%, and MMF) and single breath nitrogen washout (CV, CV%, and phase III). A reference group (n = 31) from a nearby industry was examined at the same time. Despite the fact that the exposure in previous years had been relatively high, in the order of 0.05-0.5 mg Cd/m3, and that 24 (42%) of the workers had cadmium induced renal damage in the form of beta 2-microglobulinuria there was no evidence of pulmonary damage. There were no significant differences in lung function data from the exposed and reference group and there was no dose-response relation within the exposed group. It thus appears that signs of kidney toxicity in the form of low molecular weight proteinuria precede those that may be identified in the lung with commonly used lung function tests.