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→Health effects of Cadmium, Cd
===Health effects of Cadmium, Cd===
===Health effects of Cadmium, Cd===
[[File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_8.png|thumb|400px|{{figure number|8}}Distribution of Cadmium in the central districts of Jamaica (after Wright et al, 2010).]]
Cadmium has great affinity for sulphides and is therefore associated with sulphide deposits. It has very similar tetrahedral covalent radius to that of zinc; thus, it can displace zinc from sphalerite (ZnS).
Cadmium has great affinity for sulphides and is therefore associated with sulphide deposits. It has very similar tetrahedral covalent radius to that of zinc; thus, it can displace zinc from sphalerite (ZnS).
Cadmium is highly toxic to humans. According to Hutton (1987), it mainly accumulates in soft tissues such as the kidneys and liver. In Japan, it is the cause of a disease known as itai-itai–a disease that affects mainly women (Hisashi et al, 2010). Its symptoms include: backaches, pain in the limbs, arthralgia and pain in the pubic bones. This is the direct result of the loss of calcium in bones. The loss makes the bones to be fragile and causes the development of fractures. The victim remains in pain until death. In a particular autopsy conducted, 72 fracture points were seen (Hisashi et al, 2010).
Cadmium is highly toxic to humans. According to Hutton (1987), it mainly accumulates in soft tissues such as the kidneys and liver. In Japan, it is the cause of a disease known as itai-itai–a disease that affects mainly women (Hisashi et al, 2010). Its symptoms include: backaches, pain in the limbs, arthralgia and pain in the pubic bones. This is the direct result of the loss of calcium in bones. The loss makes the bones to be fragile and causes the development of fractures. The victim remains in pain until death. In a particular autopsy conducted, 72 fracture points were seen (Hisashi et al, 2010).
Health issues arising from high cadmium concentration has also been established in the central parts of Jamaica (Fig. 8). It occurs in the soil of a region with limestone and an overlying aluminum-rich bauxite deposit (Wright et al, 2010). Cadmium exists in a phosphatic band that forms the interface between the two lithologies. Further research indicates that the phosphatic band contains fossilized fish bones and teeth suggesting a marine origin. The processes of weathering release cadmium from the phosphatic band into the soil.
Health issues arising from high cadmium concentration has also been established in the central parts of Jamaica ([[:File:UNN_Medical_Geology_Fig_8.png|Figure 8]]). It occurs in the soil of a region with limestone and an overlying aluminum-rich bauxite deposit (Wright et al, 2010). Cadmium exists in a phosphatic band that forms the interface between the two lithologies. Further research indicates that the phosphatic band contains fossilized fish bones and teeth suggesting a marine origin. The processes of weathering release cadmium from the phosphatic band into the soil.
This has drastically increased the cadmium level in Jamaican soil to maximum values of 900 mg/kg against cadmium levels in other parts of the world which range from 0.1 mg/kg to 0.5 mk/kg (Wright et al, 2010).
This has drastically increased the cadmium level in Jamaican soil to maximum values of 900 mg/kg against cadmium levels in other parts of the world which range from 0.1 mg/kg to 0.5 mk/kg (Wright et al, 2010).