Cadmium status in Egypt

Article type: Research Article

Authors:

Affiliations: Soil & Water Pollution Unit, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt 13759. E-mail:mamdouhsabour@ hotmail.com

Abstract: It is inferred from these studies that releases of Cd are still increasing and it is recommended that measures must be taken to reduce emissions of cadmium. Any cadmium discharged into the Egyptian environment may move from one compartment to another at varying rates,resulting in an accumulation in compartments such as soils and biota. Such accumulation can be expected to increase with continued emissions,and attention should be given to all sources of cadmium, natural as well as anthropogenic especially in the industrial cities in Egypt. Cadmium present in sewage, as well as industrial effluent (also, other liquid and solid wastes) and sewage sludge will increase levels in soils and is expected to contribute to dietary levels and body burdens. The current information indicates that such effects may have to be evaluated over long periods of time, possibly as long as 50 - 100 years.

Keywords: cadmium, accumulation, dietary intake

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 351-360, 2001