Because the toxicity of cadmium is dependent on its concentration in the kidney, adverse effects in humans are typically not observed after shorter durations. Drawing in ferences from the present results, the mean cadmium (Cd) urine concentration of 50 mg/L detected in urine samples from paint factory workers was eight times (and significantly) higher than that found in nonfactory workers (6 mg/L). Cadmium excretion in urine of occupationally exposed workers increases proportionally with body burden of cadmium, but the amount of cadmium excreted represents only a small fraction of the total body burden unless renal damage is present; in this case, urinary cadmium excretion markedly increases [37].