Cadmium is a substance,... mainly found in fine dust and cigarettes... and it's known to cause respiratory diseases.<br />A recent study shows that cadmium exposure could even slow down one's walking pace.<br />Park Se-young has more. <br /> On dusty days like this, an average of 44 particles per million of cadmium is detected in the air.<br />When cadmium is absorbed into the body, it first affects the bronchial epithelial cells in the lungs.<br />Around 80 percent of cells died just one day after cadmium exposure …similar to the effects of smoking a pack of cigarettes.<br />The particles also induced inflammations and activated specific genes linked to the cells' death.<br /><br /> "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."<br /><br /> Cadmium also weakens people's motor skills.<br />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.<br />This is equivalent to seven years of aging.<br /> Since it's difficult to remove cadmium from the body, experts advise people to drink water frequently and prevent its absorption.<br />Park Se-young, Arirang News. <br />
