Test ID CDOM Cadmium for Occupational Monitoring, Urine
Useful For
Monitoring occupational exposure to cadmium
Profile Information
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
CDUOM | Cd Conc | No | Yes |
CDCR | Creatinine Conc | No | Yes |
Special Instructions
Method Name
CDUOM: Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
CDCR: Enzymatic Colorimetric Assay
Reporting Name
Cadmium Occupational Monitor, USpecimen Type
UrineCollection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine collection container
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube (Supply T465) or a clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a random urine specimen.
2. See Trace Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport in Special Instructions for complete instructions.
Additional Information: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metals tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days |
Ambient | 28 days | |
Frozen | 28 days |
Clinical Information
The toxicity of cadmium resembles the other heavy metals (arsenic, mercury and lead) in that it attacks the kidney; renal dysfunction with proteinuria with slow onset (over a period of years) is the typical presentation. Measurable changes in proximal tubule function, such as decreased clearance of para-aminohippuric acid also occur over a period of years, and precede over renal failure.
Breathing the fumes of cadmium vapors leads to nasal epithelial deterioration and pulmonary congestion resembling chronic emphysema.
The most common source of cadmium exposure is tobacco smoke, which has been implicated as the primary sources of the metal leading to reproductive toxicity in both males and females.
Chronic exposure to cadmium causes accumulated renal damage. The excretion of cadmium is proportional to creatinine except when renal damage has occurred. Renal damage due to cadmium exposure can be detected by increased cadmium excretion relative to creatinine.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandated (Fed Reg 57:42,102-142,463, September 1992) that all monitoring of employees exposed to cadmium in the workplace should be done using the measurement of urine cadmium and creatinine, expressing the results of mcg of cadmium per gram of creatinine.
Reference Values
<3.0 mcg/g
Cautions
Collection of urine specimens through a catheter frequently results in elevated values, because rubber contains trace amounts of cadmium that are extracted as urine passes through the catheter.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that only a urine collection preserved with 0.66% nitric acid may be used for testing.
High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metals tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday; 7 p.m., Saturday; 2 p.m.
Report Available
1 dayPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82300