Cadmium in fine dust linked to gene variation, slower walking pace

Cadmium is a substance,... mainly found in fine dust and cigarettes... and it's known to cause respiratory diseases.A recent study shows that cadmium exposure could even slow down one's walking pace.Park Se-young has more. On dusty days like this, an average of 44 particles per million of cadmium is detected in the air.When cadmium is absorbed into the body, it first affects the bronchial epithelial cells in the lungs.Around 80 percent of cells died just one day after cadmium exposure …similar to the effects of smoking a pack of cigarettes.The particles also induced inflammations and activated specific genes linked to the cells' death. "If these specific genes increase during the cells' deterioration, the cells end up dying. Other cells in the respiratory system also become dysfunctional, causing increased inflammations and respiratory diseases." Cadmium also weakens people's motor skills.According to a study of over 36-hundred Americans over the age of 50, those in the top 20 percent for cadmium exposure walked three-point-three meters per minute slower than the 20 percent with the least exposure.This is equivalent to seven years of aging. Since it's difficult to remove cadmium from the body, experts advise people to drink water frequently and prevent its absorption.Park Se-young, Arirang News.