Absorption
-inhalation route:
Inhalation exposure primarily occurs in the workplace.
Cadmium compounds are inhaled as particulate matter, either as fumes with very small particle size or as dust.
After inhalation exposure, the absorption of cadmium compounds may vary greatly. and depends upon the particle sizes and their solubility. Large particles, dusts, (>10µm in diameter) tend to be deposited in the upper airways, while small particles, fumes, (approximately 0.1 µm) tend to penetrate into the alveoli. While some soluble cadmium compounds (CdCl2 and CdSO4) may undergo limited absorption from particles deposited in the respiratory tree, the major site of absorption is the alveoli. Only about 5% of particles > 10µm in diameter will be deposited, up to 50% of particles