Brussels, 23/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on contaminants in the food chain, on Friday, set a reduced tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for cadmium of 2.5 micrograms per kilogram of body weight (µg/kg bw). Hitherto, the TWI was 7 µg/kg bw. The TWI is the level at which adverse effects are not expected. Average dietary exposure to cadmium for adults across Europe is around this level. Some population groups - vegetarians, children, smokers and people living in highly contaminated areas - can have a higher level of exposure up to twice the TWI. However, the panel concluded that even for these groups the risk of adverse effects would be very low. The panel concluded that current exposure to cadmium at the level of the population should be reduced.
EFSA was asked by the European Commission to assess the risks to human health related to the presence of cadmium in foodstuffs in order to support risk managers in reviewing the maximum permitted levels in food. Cadmium is a heavy metal which enters the environment from natural sources, such as volcanic emissions and the weathering of rocks, as well as from industry and agriculture. It is found in the air, soil and water and can subsequently accumulate in plants and animals.
Cadmium is primarily toxic to the kidney, but can also cause bone demineralisation, and has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Cereals and cereals products, vegetables, nuts and pulses, starchy roots and potatoes as well as meat and meat products contribute most to human exposure. High levels were also found in seaweed, fish and seafood, food supplements, mushrooms, chocolate but, as they are consumed to a lesser extent, they were not major contributors to exposure.
The panel analysed data on levels of cadmium in food from 20 different countries. This information indicated that average and high-level exposure were 2.3 µg/kg bw and 3.0 µg/kg bw per week respectively. Vegetarians - who eat relatively high amounts of foods containing cadmium, including cereals, nuts, oilseeds and pulses - were estimated to have an average weekly exposure of up to 5.4 µg/kg bw. The Panel also stated that smoking can contribute to a similar internal exposure as the diet, and that house dust can be an important source of overall exposure to cadmium for children. (L.C./transl.rt)