Toxicology
Cadmium
A metal absorbed mainly from tobacco smoke and from food grown in contaminated soil.
Unit µg/LTypical adult range < 5 µg/L
What it is
A metal absorbed mainly from tobacco smoke and from food grown in contaminated soil.
Why it matters
It accumulates in the kidneys over decades, and it is one of the reasons smoking damages kidney function.
Reading the number
Smoking is by far the largest source in most people, so a raised value in a smoker needs no exotic explanation. A blood level tells you about recent exposure; the accumulated kidney burden is a separate measurement.
What moves it
smoking, including passive exposureoccupational exposurediet and local soiliron status
Read alongside
When to raise it
Worth discussing a raised value together with kidney function.
Also known as
On a report in another language.
A lab report names this analyte in its own language. Vitals Vault recognises each of these and files them all under Cadmium.
CádmioKaadmium
Catalog entry last updated 2026-08-28. Browse all 165 metrics.