[Soil cadmium pollution: environmental and hygienic aspects].

The paper deals with modes of detection of soil cadmium, with the effects of its pollution and with toxicity on man, microorganisms and soil biocenoses. It shows why cadmium migrates and translocates into plants. The problem of development of hygienic specifications of the metal is analyzed in relation to the protective properties of soil and the data obtained from the monitoring of a region.