A coroner conducting autopsies on 10 people in a western Pennsylvania county has found high levels of
cadmium, an extremely toxic substance. Authorities in Indiana County, which lies 50 miles east of Pittsburgh, are unsure if it is from an environmental source. Initial analysis of water and soil has not linked the substance to contamination, but investigators say more testing is necessary.
Long term exposure to cadmium may cause
kidney problems, including
kidney failure. Studies have shown that chronic exposure to cadmium may cause
lung cancer. While evidence of
birth defects in humans exposed to cadmium is inconclusive, some animals seem to be prone to birth defects after exposure.
Cadmium readings in the deceased, who died of various ailments including bowel disease and
heart attack, ranged from 20 to 100 times the maximum exposure level set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
See your doctor if you live in Indiana County, Pennsylvania and have experienced serious health problems. In addition, it may be important to
contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be
time limits within which you must commence suit.
See Also
- Specific Contaminated Sites
- Birth Defects
- Kidney & Urinary Tract Disorders
- Kidney Failure
- Lung Cancer: Overview