Evidence of cadmium toxicity in a population living in a zinc-mining area. Pilot survey of Shipham residents.

22 of 31 residents of a Somerset village where soil levels of cadmium were high had raised blood-cadmium levels, and some had clinical and biochemical findings (including hypertension and biochemical evidence of renal tubular damage) indicating toxic effects which could be attributed to the metal. It is suggested that more detailed studies should be carried out as a matter of urgency and that advice on avoiding local garden produce and not smoking should be emphasised. Probably more serious, however, is the summation effect with industrial exposure.