Factors Aggravating Cadmium Health Effects in Old Animals

Critical daily dose of cadmium in residents in cadmium-polluted areas in Japan, were quite diverse by area. Some elucidations for the diversion shall be discussed based on our recent experimental data. 1) Aging aggravated cadmium health effects in rabbits. 2) Excessive dietary zinc and/or copper aggravated cadmium health effects in old animals, but did not in young animals. The effects were quite diverse by age. 3) Low-protein diet was a potent factors aggravating cadmium health effects especially in old rats. 4) It may be difficult, therefore, to estimate a single and unanimous critical daily dose of cadmium, but it is highly recommended for old residents in cadmium-polluted areas, and probably also for old cadmium workers, to avoid excessive exposure to zinc and/or copper, and to take enough protein to avoid aggravating cadmium health effects.