IRIS Toxicological Review and Summary Documents for Cadmium

The dose-response assessment for cadmium accomplished through this project derived both an oral RfD and an inhalation RfC using a combination of literature and values generated from a model developed specifically for this assessment. The overall recommendations of this assessment is to limit daily intake of cadmium to about 55 micrograms (ug) per 70 kg person, inclusive of background levels from the diet. To aid in this process, a listing of RfDs and RfCs with varying levels of backgrounds are also given directly in the Review. The assessment recognizes cadmium as having the potential to be carcinogenic via the inhalation route only. These activities and review are necessary to address Agency Consensus review comments concerning the necessity of having intake-specific RfD values.
The results of this assessment may be used directly in cadmium site assessments and would also improve risk assessments for air toxics and other hazardous wastes.