Cadmium Exposure in Daye County, China: Environmental Assessment and Management, Health and Economic Effects

Abstract

Summarises the environmental cadmium loading, human body cadmium (Cd) burden and the biological indicators of the early‐stage health effects induced by exposure to cadmium on the population of Daye county in China. Claims that urinary calcium and urinary low molecular weight protein are good biological indicators for the detection of the early‐stage renal dysfunction and recommend that the prevention and treatment of cadmium pollution be incorporated into primary health care. Cost‐benefit analysis of reduction of Cd emissions from the non‐ferrous smelter in Daye county indicates that the benefit‐cost ratio taking into account both direct health costs and indirect costs is far in excess of unity.