Cadmium Levels In Soil Research Articles

Trans-Global Biogeochemistry of Soil to Grain Transport of Arsenic and Cadmium

Previous studies have shown that arsenic and cadmium can accumulate in rice grain to levels that cause health concerns. Furthermore, geographical survey has shown that there is considerable variation (~ 100-fold) in accumulation of these carcinogens in rice grain. This variance must be due to heterogeneity in soil biogeochemistry and contrasting rice management regimens. Here we present the first systematic global study to investigate the impact of soil biogeochemistry on accumulation of these elements in rice grain. Matched grain, shoot, root and soil samples were collected across a latitudinal gradient from East Africa to Europe and soil, shoot, grain chemistry and soil microbial community (prokaryotes and fungi) assessed within the context of arsenic and cadmium biogeochemistry. European and Vietnamese grain sum of arsenic species (inorganic arsenic plus dimethylarsonic acid) concentration medians, ~ 0.1 mg/kg, were found to be around ten-fold higher compared to those in East Africa and Sri Lanka. Arsenic concentrations were linked to higher levels of soil arsenic, and to higher abundance of soil sulphur-oxidising and sulphate reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea. For cadmium, Sri Lanka showed highest (median 0.0156 mg/kg) and Europe lowest (median of 0.001 mg/kg) levels in grain, with the other regions showing intermediate values. Interestingly, grain cadmium was unrelated to soil cadmium concentrations, with Europe having the highest levels of cadmium in soil. Instead, grain cadmium correlated with higher oxidation/reduction potential, lower -log[hydrogen ion], lower soil calcium, and to a higher abundance of aerobic bacteria and fungi (lowest abundance of these organisms in European soils).

Genotypic Variability of Photosynthetic Parameters in Maize Ear-Leaves at Different Cadmium Levels in Soil

Excess of cadmium (Cd) in soil leads to a number of adverse effects which challenge agricultural production. Aims of this study were to investigate variations in Cd content in leaves (Zea mays L.) of different maize genotypes and to detect effects of Cd on photosynthesis through chlorophyll a fluorescence. Pot vegetation experiments with four maize genotypes and four different soil Cd levels were repeated for two years. Chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis for ear-leaf Cd and zinc (Zn) and soil Cd were carried out. Significant differences between genotypes were found for leaf Cd, where higher Cd soil concentrations resulted in higher Cd leaf concentrations. Cd uptake into maize leaves increased with increasing Cd levels in soil, which was genotype-dependent and higher and lower Cd accumulating groups were formed. Changes in chlorophyll fluorescence caused by elevated Cd levels in soil were mostly visible as changes in dissipation energy, yields of primary photosystem II photochemistry and electron transport. Decrease of reaction centers per antenna chlorophyll and increased variable fluorescence at J step (VJ) resulted in decrease of performance indexes in the highest Cd concentration. Decreases in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters suggest reduced functionality of reaction centers and problems in re-oxidation of primary quinone acceptor (QA).

Evaluation of Flax Plant as a Cadmium Phytoremediator for Polluted Soils under Different Chemical and Biological Treatments

A pot experiments was carried out in the greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture Cairo University during the two successive winter seasons (2015-2016 and 2016-2017) to evaluate the potential of flax plants (Linum usitatissimum L.) as a Cd tolerant and accumulator for polluted soils. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with a randomized-complete design in three replicates. Surface sandy loam soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected from Abou-Rawash area, which received sewage sludge and sewage effluent for long time ( about 20 years).Three levels of soil Cd (initial 3.13), and two artificial ones 50 and 75mg kg-1 soil, were prepared using CdCl2 solution by wet and dry process for three months. The chemical (EDTA) and biological (AMF and Thiobacillus) treatments were allocated to sub plots. Each sub plot consisted of pots each containing 10kg soil and 100 flax plants. The results showed that by increasing soil cadmium levels, the flax plant dry weight (roots, stem and leaves) significantly decreased. Under different levels of soil Cd, the chemical and biological treatments recorded variable changes in flax plant dry weight. The highest increases in dry weight was recorded with AMF treatment (5.63 and 8.50% in 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively, with an average of 7.06%) compared with the control (initial).However, cadmium contents in the different parts of flax plant increased with increasing soil cadmium levels. The highest Cd concentration in flax roots, stem and leaves recorded in EDTA treatment which lead to increases of 1.73, 2.11 and 1.88 folds in roots, stem and leaves, respectively, compared with untreated soil at 75 µg Cd g-1 soil. The uptake of Cd by flax substantially affected by both levels of Cd in soil and different soil treatments. The highest Cd uptake was found in 75 µg g-1 soil level followed by 50µg g-1 and the lowest in 3.13 µg g-1 soil. Flax was uptake and accumulate cadmium from the soil with distributing evenly throughout plants (roots < stem < leaves). Both EDTA and AMF treatments recorded the highest phytoextraction of Cd from contaminated soil. Finally, the obtained results suggest that, flax plant can be considered as a Cd tolerant which can accumulate Cd, especially, with mycorrhiza fungi and EDTA treatments but could not be considered a hyperaccumulator of Cd from polluted soils.

Determination of Cadmium Concentration in Milled and Brown Rice Grains Using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

Heavy metal pollution is a growing public health concern since it poses a food risk to public health via metal transfer. Cadmium is of particular concern because it is a potential carcinogen if exceed tolerable limits in the grain. Hence, it is important to monitor the cadmium content of rice before it reaches the market to ensure public healthy safety, especially in areas known to have high cadmium levels in soil. In this chapter, the method used to determine the concentration of cadmium in milled and brown rice grain samples is described. This method involves sample digestion with concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and analysis of cadmium by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS). Because cadmium concentrations are low in rice grains, quantification of cadmium content requires the use of a more sensitive instrument, such as GF-AAS.

From Soil Pollution to “Cadmium Rice” to Public Health Impacts: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Influencing Factors and Possible Responses

This article discusses the causes of the contamination of rice with cadmium in China and considers what we know about the severity of the problem. It argues that it is misleading to extrapolate simply from levels of cadmium in soil to health risks, because the uptake of cadmium by crops and the health impacts of the metal are affected by multiple factors. These include not only background levels of cadmium and pollution from mining and industry, but also soil quality, climatic conditions and the type and variety of crops grown. Social and cultural factors, including dietary habits, other exposure sources, nutritional quality and general health status will also affect the intake of cadmium and the severity of health impacts. For these reasons we argue that interdisciplinary analysis is crucial to a better understanding of patterns of risk to health from cadmium pollution, and to the design of effective responsive measures.

Impact of soil cadmium on land snails: a two-stage exposure approach under semi-field conditions using bioaccumulative and conchological end-points of exposure.

Land snails are highly tolerant to cadmium exposure and are able to accumulate soil cadmium independently of food ingestion. However, little information exists on the kinetics of cadmium retention in terrestrial gastropods exposed to an increase in the soil cadmium content, over time. There is also little knowledge about how exposure to cadmium-polluted soils influences shell growth and architecture. In this context, we examined cadmium accumulation in the hepatopancreas and shell of juvenile Cantareus aspersus exposed to elevating high levels of cadmium in soil. Also, the toxicity of cadmium to snails was assessed using a range of conchological endpoints, including shell height, width, volume, allometry and integrity. Test snails, aged three months, were reared under semi-field conditions, fed an uncontaminated diet and exposed first, for a period of 30 days, to a series of soil cadmium concentrations, and then, for a second period of 30 days, to soils with higher cadmium content. Cadmium showed a dose-dependent accumulation in both the hepatopancreas and shell. The kinetics of cadmium retention in the hepatopancreas of snails previously exposed to cadmium-spiked soils was significantly influenced by a new exposure event. The shell was not a relevant bioaccumulator for soil cadmium. Under the present experimental conditions, only high cadmium exposure significantly affected either the shell growth or snail survival. There was no consistent effect on shell allometry, but the shell integrity, especially in rapidly growing parts, appeared to be affected by high cadmium exposure. Our results attest to the value of hepatopancreas for describing cadmium retention in land snails and to the difficulty of using conchological parameters in field surveys for estimating the environmental hazard of soil cadmium.

Application of multi-level model in study of relationship between soil cadmium contamination and people's urinary cadmium level

Based on the characteristics of hierarchical data, a multilevel model was used to analysis possible influencing factors of urinary cadmium levels in one county population, and to discuss the advantages of multilevel model for processing hierarchical data in practical problems. In May 2013, 1 460 participants aged 20 and above in 12 administrative villages in one county in central China were recruited by cluster sampling. Urinary cadmium level and its possible influencing factors were investigated, and cadmium level in farmland soil of survey area was also tested. A total of 1 410 participants completed the survey and met the inclusion criterion. 318 farmland samples in survey area were detected. According to the data, individuals were set as the level one unit, and the village was set as level two unit. the data were analyzed by MIXED procedure for hierarchical data of SAS 9.3 software. In the case of not considering the hierarchy of data, the general linear model was fitted by SAS 9.3 software, and the fitting results of the two models were compared. A total of 1 410 participants were included finally, the age was (55.2 ± 11.1) years. 645 (45.74%) were males and 765 (54.26%) were females. The amount of household per capita consumption of rice was (100.9 ± 40.3) kg/y. All 18.65% (262/1 410) of the participants had mining and mineral separation work experience. The urinary cadmium level was (9.39 ± 2.16) µg/g Cr. Most of the soil cadmium levels in villages were greater than tolerance value. The fitting results of general linear model suggested that whether doing mining and mineral separation work does not have significant difference (χ(2) = 1.05, P = 0.305). There was significant difference in the village soil cadmium levels, age, the amount of household per capita consumption of rice, and gender (χ(2) = 401.39, 34.9, 4.16 and 86.15, respectively, P < 0.01, <0.01, 0.041, <0.01, respectively). The fitting result of empty model showed the ICC was 0.435 5, the urinary cadmium had clustering at village level. The results of multilevel model showed that the explanatory variables of the village soil cadmium levels, age, the amount of household per capita consumption of rice and gender had significant difference (Wald χ(2) values 2.55, 6.34, 2.37 and 10.32, respectively, P = 0.029, <0.01, = 0.018 and <0.01), while whether doing mining and mineral separation work had no significant difference (χ(2) = 0.78, P = 0.438). To the fitting optimization index using for the comparison of models, the results of multilevel model were less than that of general linear model. The regression coefficient of level-2 explanatory variable (the village soil cadmium levels) was 0.84, which could explain the 35.26% of the total variance. Multilevel model could analyze hierarchical data more reasonably than general linear model. Urinary cadmium levels is highly influenced by the village soil cadmium levels.

CADMIUM-INDUCED TESTICULAR TOXICITY: COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF PREAND POST-TREATMENTS WITH VITAMINS C AND E

Cadmium, a toxic metal, is known to exert a number of deleterious effects on health. However, it is less harmful when bound to rocks. Climate change, resulting from such phenomena as acid rain, promotes the breakdown and consequent release of bound cadmium. Flushing of inactive and active mines by flood lead to changes in cadmium levels in soil and underground water bodies. The effect of vitamins C and E on rat testis pre- and post-treatment with cadmium, using urinary creatine as marker of testicular toxicity was investigated in this study. Male Wistar rats (n=24) were divided into 4 groups; control (n=6) and test group (n=18); divided into groups that received cadmium only (CT), those treated with the vitamins before cadmium exposure (Cd24V) and those treated with the vitamins post cadmium exposure (Cd1V). Results indicate a significant (p<0.05) increase in urinary creatine that was temporarily relieved by the Cd1V treatment. Relative to both control and the CT-treatment groups, the Cd24V treatment significantly (p<0.05) reduced urinary creatine 24hrs before sacrifice,. Histological sections of the control testis showed numerous seminiferous tubules undergoing sequential spermatogenesis while sections of the CT- and Cd1Vtreated rat testis showed extensive coagulative necrosis affecting all the tubules. There was also hyperplasia of interstitial cells of the leydig. Relative to the control and CT-treated rat testis, sections of the Cd24V rat testis showed numerous seminiferous tubules filled with germ cells undergoing sequential spermatogenesis. There were eosinophilic exudates in the interstitium with mild acute inflammatory cell infilterate. In this study, biochemical and histological investigations indicate cadmium toxicity of the testis. It also shows that post-treatment of cadmium-exposed rats with the vitamins were ineffective in protecting the testis while pre-treatment ameliorated the toxic effect of the metal.

Brassinosteroids protect photosynthetic machinery against the cadmium induced oxidative stress in two tomato cultivars

The present study was conducted with an aim to gain better insight of brassinosteroid generated response on the effects of cadmium on photosynthetic machinery and active oxygen metabolism in two tomato cultivars (K-25 and Sarvodya). These tomato cultivars were subjected to graded cadmium levels in soil (0, 3, 6, 9 or 12 mg kg −1 soil) with their foliage being sprayed with 0 or 10 −8 M of 28-homobrassinolide/24-epibrassinolide (HBL/EBL) at 59 d stage. The results suggested that photosynthetic parameters, leaf water potential and activity of several enzymes (nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase) decreased significantly in both the cultivars, to a lesser extent in K-25 than Sarvodya with the increasing levels of cadmium in the soil. However, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and proline content increased in response to metal treatment as well as the application of brassinosteroids (HBL/EBL). Overall, exogenous application of brassinosteroids improved the activity of photosynthetic machinery and that of antioxidant defense system in both the cultivars, and also nullified the damaging effect of metal on these parameters.

Sensitivity of biochemical markers to evaluate cadmium stress in the freshwater diatom Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W. Smith

Human activities have been increasing the cadmium levels in soils and waters, disturbing many organisms in the primary trophic levels such as microalgae. Toxic metal pollution is a focus point of serious concern and the examination and monitoring water quality are becoming essential procedures. Diatoms are important bioindicators to monitor the metal concentrations in diverse habitats. The present study was planned to determine the biochemical mechanisms used by freshwater diatoms to cope with cadmium stress and to identify biomarkers of metal stress. For this, Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W. Smith was grown under different concentrations of Cd (0.01–0.1 mg l −1) and the IC 50 determined. Three concentrations (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg Cd l −1) and a control (no cadmium) were used to undergo the experimental assays which allowed the determination of cadmium accumulation and several biochemical markers currently used to assess metal stress. N. palea was sensitive to cadmium, as the IC 50 calculated was 0.0276 mg Cd l −1. Cadmium accumulation increased sharply and was mainly associated to the frustule. Total protein content increased with cadmium exposure, inducing increases and decreases in polypeptide expression, indicating an attempt of N. palea cells to adjust to the new prevailing conditions induced by metal stress. In order to cope with cadmium stress, cells induced the synthesis of chelating molecules such as phytochelatins (PCs). The enzymatic (SOD and CAT) and non-enzymatic (glutathione and proline) ROS scavenging mechanisms were also induced. Our results indicate the existence of diverse metal stress-mediated mechanisms in order to lessen metal damages to the cell. PCs showed to be a suitable biomarker of metal stress; besides being metal specific and concentration respondent it also allows to infer about the level of stress imposed to cells, constituting a useful tool to complement the evaluation of diatom communities when accessing aquatic metal toxicity.

Levels of Cadmium in Soil, Sediment and Water Samples from Tarkwa and Its Environs

Soil, sediment and water samples collected from the catchment areas of some selected rivers and streams in Tarkwa and its environs were investigated for the levels of cadmium using the Atomic Absorption spectrophometric technique. From the results, it was observed that cadmium levels were generally higher than the WHO (1993) recommended level of 2.0 mgkg-1. Cadmium levels in soil ranged from 1.23 ±0.21 mgKg-1 at N3 to 4.63 ± 1.13 mgkg-1 at K1. Soil pHw ranged from 4.99 ±1.16mgKg-1 at Bn2 to 6.60 ±1.39mgKg-1 at K4. Cadmium in sediments were generally very high. It ranged from 2.40 ± 0.06 mgkg-1 at Bn1 to 8.64 ±1.76 mgkg-1 at K4. Sediment pHw ranged from 4.59 ±2.49 at N2 to 5.87 ± 0.23 at K4. Cadmium levels in water were also higher than the WHO (1993) standard value of 0.003 mgL-1. However, the pHs of the water samples were very close to the minimum standard value of 6.5.

Lead, Cadmium And Zinc Accumulation On Soil And Vegetation Along Some Selected Major Roads Of Eastern Cape

Surface soil and grass samples were collected in triplicates from seven locations perpendicular to three major roads in Eastern Cape. Total and available lead, cadmium and zinc were determined in the soil samples and total elements were determined in grass. Lead, cadmium and zinc concentrations declined with distance from road traffic. Significant correlation was also established between available elements in soil and in grass. Levels of total and available elements in the soils ranged from 1167-10834 v µg v g m 1 and from 200-" 5734 v µg v g m 1 , respectively. The levels of the element in grass varied between 200 v µg v g m 1 and 3900 v µg v g m 1 . Total and available cadmium levels in soil although lower than the levels are also significant with values ranging from 17-"2833 v µg v g m 1 and from 27 v µg v g m 1 and from 27-1867 v µg v g m 1 , respectively. The cadmium levels in grass varied between 7 v µg v g m 1 and 1100 v µg v g m 1 . The total and available zinc levels in soil ranged from 2833-8334 v µg v g m 1 and from 533-3600 v µg v g m 1 . The levels in grass varied between 0 and 2800 v µg v g m 1 . The degree of pollution measured would constitute a threat to livestock. Motor traffic appears to be the main source of the elements.

Lead and cadmium exposure from contaminated soil among residents of a farm area near an industrial site.

In this study, the authors determined the degree of lead and cadmium exposure in a population that resided in an area with contaminated soil. The extent of exposure from soil pollution was also assessed. Lead and cadmium concentrations in blood of children and adults who resided in the contaminated area were measured, and cadmium concentration in urine of adults was also determined. An adult control group was recruited from a nonpolluted area. The mean blood lead level in adults who resided in the polluted area was 9.8 microg/dl, compared with a mean level of 6.8 microg/dl in controls (p = .004). Urinary cadmium levels were well below the level associated with onset of symptoms, but the differences between levels in residents of the contaminated area (0.54 microg/gm creatinine) and levels in the controls (0.37 microg/gm creatinine) indicated that life-long cadmium exposure had been higher among the residents of the contaminated area (p = .086). The mean blood lead level and mean blood cadmium level in children were 5.2 microg/dl (maximum = 7.90 microg/dl) and 0.10 microg/l, respectively. Lead in soil accounted in large part for the differences in blood lead levels in children; however, blood cadmium levels were not associated with soil cadmium levels, but, rather, with consumption of home-grown vegetables.

The El Paso Smelter 20 Years Later: Residual Impact on Mexican Children

Although there has been considerable concern regarding cross-border industrial contamination between Mexico and the United States, there are remarkably few data. One notable case study is the smelter in El Paso, Texas. In 1974 blood lead levels higher than 40 μg/dl were detected in 52% of children studied near the smelter, in the adjacent Mexican community of Anapra in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. Lead smelting at this plant was halted in 1985, and as a result, lead levels in air decreased sharply; consequently, children's exposure to lead and other metals should have diminished accordingly. In order to assess the effect of removal of lead emissions from the area, three geographical locations in Anapra, varying in distance from the smelter source, were evaluated for lead, arsenic, and cadmium levels in soil and for lead in blood of children. It was found that lead levels in soil were inversely correlated with distance from the smelter. Arsenic and cadmium levels in soil were constant among the three sectors. However, at residential sites closer to the smelter, a higher percentage of children was found with blood lead levels exceeding the Centers for Disease Control's action level of 10.0 μg/dl. In the sector closest to the border 43% of children had blood lead levels greater than 10.0 μg/dl. Although blood lead levels in children living in Anapra have dropped approximately fourfold in 20 years, our results indicate a moderate continued risk of lead exposure. This study demonstrates the persistent impact that may result from cross-border contamination and raises provocative questions regarding appropriate action and the responsibility for financing such action.

Effects of cadmium on growth and pharmacologically active constituents of the medicinal plant Coriandrum sativum L.

The effects of high levels of cadmium in soil and in the atmosphere on the plants of Coriandrum sativum L. (Umbellifereae) were investigated. Plants grown in contaminated soil (0, 10, 100 ppm of cadmium) showed a significant reduction in the length of the stems and roots and the number of the umbels, a yellowing and ultrastructural alterations of the leaves and a significant decrease in the essential oil composition. Similar effects were observed in the plants exposed to a simulated atmospheric pollution (plants were sprayed with CdCl2 solutions containing Cd 0, 10, 100 mg/L). The effects are related to a degree of environmental contamination.

A practical method for assessing cadmium levels in soil using the DTPA extraction technique with graphite furnace analysis

Abstract Using the DTPA extraction procedure and a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer, a practical method for determining soil cadmium levels was developed. Furnace parameters, instrument parameters, solvent dilution factor, and solvent characteristics were determined using experimental field samples and standardized control samples. The DTPA extraction method gave reproducible results and removed approximately 20 to 60% of total soil cadmium.

Ecotoxicological evaluation of soil quality criteria

To implement the Soil Protection Act of 1986, the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning, and Environment has recently proposed a list of soil quality reference values. These values are, as yet, insufficiently based on ecotoxicological evidence. In this paper, a three-step procedure of risk assessment for soil contaminants is proposed. Arguing from experimental results concerning no observed effect concentrations for a set of selected soil organisms, the method aims at protecting a certain fraction of soil life, taking factors such as soil organic matter and clay content into account. When applied to cadmium, a concentration protecting 95% of soil invertebrates is estimated as 0.16 μg/g for a standard soil. The value of 0.8 μg/g, as proposed by the Dutch authorities, may, given the present variation and uncertainty of toxicity data, protect about 85% of the soil invertebrate fauna. It is concluded that even low levels of cadmium in soil may endanger the functioning of some sensitive soil animal species.

Cadmium Levels in Soils and Plants From Some Long‐term Soil Fertility Experiments in the United States of America

AbstractPhosphate fertilizers contain varying amounts of Cd and other heavy metals as contaminants from phosphate rock (PR). To determine whether periodic applications of P fertilizers resulted in measurable accumulations of Cd in soils and in harvested crops, soil and plant tissue samples from nine long‐term (&gt; 50 yr) soil fertility experiments in the USA were analyzed for Cd, as well as P and other elements. Annual Cd rates were estimated to range from 0.3 to 1.2 g ha−1 in these experiments. Plant tissues analyzed were corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves or grain, and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) forage. Results from these long‐term experiments have shown that plant uptake of Cd contaminants in P fertilizers containing &lt; 10 mg Cd kg−1 is negligible. While the Cd accumulations in soil in these experiments could not be calculated, they would approximate that accumulated in most agricultural soils in the USA at this time. About 70% of the P fertilizers is produced from Florida PR, which contains &lt; 10 mg kg−1 of Cd, as compared with about 10% from the western USA, which contains higher Cd levels. Therefore, adding Cd to soils as a contaminant in P fertilizers at rates ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 g Cd ha−1 does not appear to result in increased Cd levels in plants as a result of long‐term P fertilization.

Lead and cadmium levels in soil and plants near highways and their correlation with traffic density

Lead and cadmium pollution in zones adjacent to some roads in Puerto Rico has been studied. The levels of these metals in soil and vegetation are much higher than typical background concentrations. Integration of the concentration vs. distance curves along transects perpendicular to the roads yields areas proportional to the heavy metal burden of the roadside soil and vegetation. These areas exhibit a significant correlation with the vehicular traffic density and it is shown that they represent more accurately the severity of pollution than the maximum levels at the same locality. It was found that wind direction affects the distribution of Pb along a transect. Also, the Pb and Cd concentrations in soil and the Pb concentration in vegetation fall off rapidly with increasing distance from the roads, in agreement with previous investigations. Accumulation of Pb and Cd above background levels seems to take place up to a distance of approximately 33 m, giving rise to the suggestion that edible crops for human or animal consumption should be restricted within strips of this width on both sides of heavily travelled roads.

MORTALITY OF SHIPHAM RESIDENTS: 40-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

The 1939 populations of Shipham, a village in Somerset with high soil-cadmium levels, and a nearby control village have been followed for 40 years. Death certificates were obtained for those who had died, and the mortality rates were compared with those for England and Wales. Small excesses of hypertensive, cerebrovascular, and genitourinary disease were noted in Shipham but not in the control village. These conditions have been associated with cadmium toxicity, and so it is possible that cadmium had some influence on the disease pattern in Shipham; but if so, the effect was slight. By contrast, fewer deaths than expected from respiratory disease and cancers were observed in both villages. This gave rise to all-cause mortality rates in Shipham and the control village which were similar and well below the national average.