Skin contact with cadmium is not known to cause health effects in humans or animals. This is based on weak evidence of increased lung cancer in humans from breathing cadmium and on strong evidence from animal studies. We do not know if cadmium causes cancer from skin contact or from eating or drinking contaminated food and water. Tests are available in some medical laboratories that measure cadmium in blood, urine, hair, or nails. Blood levels show recent exposure to cadmium, and urine levels show both recent and earlier exposure.
Urine tests can indicate kidney damage.
The reliability of tests for cadmium levels in hair or nails is unknown. Tests are available to measure cadmium in your liver and kidney. The tests are expensive, but can help a doctor evaluate your risk of kidney disease. The EPA also limits how much cadmium can enter lakes, rivers, waste sites, and cropland. The EPA does not allow cadmium in pesticides.