29 CFR 1910.1027: OSHA Cadmium in General Industry

Regulatory citation: 29 CFR 1910.1027, Cadmium (General Industry)

What Is the OSHA Cadmium Standard?

Section 1910.1027 covers occupational exposure to cadmium and cadmium compounds, in all forms, in general industry. It affects nickel-cadmium battery manufacturing, zinc and cadmium refining, pigment and stabilizer production, electroplating, and welding or cutting cadmium-coated metal. Construction work is covered by a separate cadmium standard.

Why Cadmium Matters

Cadmium builds up in the kidneys and can cause kidney damage and lung cancer. Because damage can occur before symptoms appear, the standard relies on blood and urine testing to catch early effects.

Core Obligations

1. Keep Exposure Below the Limits (1910.1027(b) and (c))

The permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. The action level is 2.5 µg/m³.

2. Monitor Exposure (1910.1027(d))

Employers must determine whether any employee may be exposed at or above the action level, usually through initial monitoring. Where results are at or above the action level, monitoring must be repeated at least every 6 months. Monitoring may stop if a result is below the action level and a second sample at least 7 days later confirms it. Employees must be told their results within 15 working days.

3. Set Up Regulated Areas (1910.1027(e))

Regulated areas are required wherever exposure is, or can reasonably be expected to be, above the PEL. Access is limited to authorized persons, and everyone entering must wear a respirator.

4. Use Controls, SECALs and a Written Program (1910.1027(f))

Engineering and work practice controls must reduce exposure to the PEL. For certain industries, Table 1 sets separate engineering control air limits (SECALs). The SECAL is 50 µg/m³ for some processes, such as nickel-cadmium battery plate making, zinc and cadmium refining and lead smelting, and 15 µg/m³ for others, such as mechanical plating. Respirators make up the difference. A written compliance program is required and must be reviewed and updated at least annually. Employee rotation may not be used to comply.

5. Provide Respirators, Clothing and Hygiene (1910.1027(g) to (j))

Respirators must be used under a program that meets 29 CFR 1910.134, with HEPA filters on air-purifying respirators. A written plan is needed for emergencies that could cause a large release of cadmium. Where exposure is above the PEL, protective clothing must be provided at no cost and cleaned or replaced at least weekly, and employees must shower at the end of the shift. Lunchroom air must be kept below the action level.

6. Keep Surfaces Clean (1910.1027(k))

Surfaces must be kept as free as practicable of cadmium. HEPA vacuuming is preferred, and compressed air and dry sweeping are restricted.

7. Provide Medical Surveillance and Biological Monitoring (1910.1027(l))

Medical surveillance covers employees who are or may be exposed at or above the action level, unless they will not be exposed at that level on 30 or more days in 12 consecutive months. It includes testing of cadmium in urine (CdU), beta-2 microglobulin in urine (β2-M) and cadmium in blood (CdB). A periodic exam is due within 1 year of the initial exam and at least every 2 years after that, and biological sampling at least annually. Results above CdU 3 µg/g creatinine, β2-M 300 µg/g creatinine or CdB 5 µg per liter of whole blood require an exposure reassessment and a full medical exam within 90 days. Above CdU 7, β2-M 750 or CdB 10, removal becomes mandatory if retesting during that exam confirms the high result and CdU is above 3 or CdB is above 5.

8. Protect Removed Workers, Train and Keep Records (1910.1027(l) to (n))

An employee removed from exposure keeps earnings, seniority and benefits for up to 18 months each time. Training is required at initial assignment and at least annually. Air monitoring records must be kept for at least 30 years, and medical records for the duration of employment plus 30 years.

Common Compliance Approaches

Track Biological Results Over Time

Rising CdU or β2-M results are an early signal to check controls and hygiene before removal levels are reached.

Check Whether a SECAL Applies

Compare each process with Table 1. If none applies, controls must reach the PEL itself.

Example: Cadmium Controls in Practice

A pigment plant measures 30 µg/m³ at its milling station, below the 50 µg/m³ SECAL for that process but above the PEL. It keeps its engineering controls in place, sets up a regulated area and supplies respirators so employee exposure stays below the PEL. Mill operators shower at the end of each shift and give urine and blood samples each year. One operator's CdU result is 8 µg/g creatinine, so the plant reassesses his exposure and work practices and schedules a full medical exam within 90 days.

Related regulations: OSHA respiratory protection, OSHA access to exposure and medical records, OSHA lead in general industry.

Note: In July 2025 OSHA proposed changes to the respirator provisions of this standard. Check for a final rule. State plan states may set stricter rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SECAL?

A separate engineering control air limit. For the industries in Table 1, engineering and work practice controls only need to reach the SECAL, with respirators used to bring exposure down to the PEL.

Which tests are used for cadmium biological monitoring?

Cadmium in urine, beta-2 microglobulin in urine and cadmium in blood. Results are compared with the trigger levels in the standard.

How long do medical removal benefits last?

Up to 18 months each time an employee is removed from exposure under the standard.