cadmium poisoning, poisoning resulting from excessive exposure to cadmium. The inhalation of cadmium in fumes created by welding, smelting, or other industrial processes involving solder is one of many sources of exposure. Cadmium bromide, used in engraving, lithography, and photography, can cause severe GI symptoms if swallowed. Cadmium may also cause poisoning by the ingestion of acidic foods prepared and stored in cadmium-lined containers, as lemonade in certain metal cans. The effects may include vomiting, dyspnea, headache, prostration, pulmonary edema, and possibly, years later, cancer. Maternal cadmium exposure can affect fetal development.
