In the first part of this blog series (Metal Fume Zebra), I used the example of Metal Fume Fever (MFF) to introduce the cadmium exposure hypothesis, and that lead to some confusion. Hot metal work (brazing, welding, etc) and inhalation of the accompanying metal fumes *is* the most common type of exposure. MFF can also develop from exposure to metal dust particles produced during cold sanding processes, particularly if the metal is highly toxic and readily soluble in the lungs (read: cadmium). I could have gone into the various strange forms of metal dust pneumonias (Kelleher P, 2000), but I figured Metal Fume Fever was weird enough territory to cover in one blog post. Look up beryllium disease. Very weird, multi-factorial illness, with genetic component......read more
Author
Frank Conrad