In low doses, cadmium can produce coughing, headaches, and vomiting. In larger doses,
cadmium can accumulate in the liver and kidneys, and can replace calcium in bones, leading
to painful bone disorders and to a renal failure. The kidney is considered to be the critical
target organ in humans chronically exposed to cadmium by ingestion (EPA, 1999).
Cadmium that is taken into the body usually remains there. Inhaled cadmium is more
hazardous than ingested cadmium. A major source of inhaled cadmium is tobacco smoke.