Strong acute toxicity, severe hepatic damage, renal injury and abnormal serum electrolytes after intravenous administration of cadmium fluoride in rats.

Cadmium fluoride (CdF) is commonly used as an insulator for ulta high speed mass telecommunications equipment, and there is a considerable risk that industrial workers will inhale CdF particles. Despite the possibility that acute exposure can cause harmful systemic effects, there are no studies to date that address the health consequences of acute CdF exposure. This study therefore aimed to determine the acute lethal dose of CdF and its effects on various target organs, including the liver and kidney. We also determined the effect of CdF on serum electrolytes and acid-base balance. The effective lethal dose was determined and dose-response study was conducted after intravenous administration of CdF in rats. The 24 h LD(50) of CdF was determined to be 3.29 mg/kg. The dose-response study used doses of 1.34, 2.67, 4.01 mg/kg CdF. Saline or sodium fluoride solution were used for controles. Severe hepatocellular injury was induced at doses greater than 2.67 mg/kg, as demonstrated by AST and ALT activities greater than 1,500 IU/l in rats injected with a dose of 4.01 mg/kg. Acute renal failure was induced at doses greater than 2.67 mg/kg. Decreased serum Ca, increased serum K and metabolic acidosis were induced at a dose of 4.01 mg/kg. Decreased serum Ca was caused by exposure to ionized F. CdF has the strongest lethal and hepatic toxicity among all Cd containing compounds.