Excessive accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in man is associated with vario
us toxic effects like renal dysfunction and osteomalacia. It is now ge
nerally accepted that environmental sources of Cd are increasing and t
his review gives a general pattern of Cd translocation in the human fo
od chain. In the aquatic environment Cd can be transferred, without bi
omagnification, in aquatic plants, molluscs and crustaceans. The exten
t of Cd uptake by plants is hightly positively correlated to Cd soil c
oncentrations. Cd retention in tissues of farm animals demonstrates th
at the liver and kidneys Cd concentrations are correlated to the envir
onmental Cd contamination. Thus, the various potential hazard, like th
e sewage sludge amendements, must be evaluated. For the general popula
tion, the main exposure to Cd is via food and vegetable products (cere
als, bulb crops, leafy vegetables). The results from the french survey
s on trace elements in animals tissues demonstrate that cattle and swi
ne liver Cd concentrations are lower than 0,5 ppm. These data are comp
ared to those obtained in other countries. Dietary intake of Cd in Fra
nce is estimated to be lesser than the maximum allowed level (1 mu g/k
g b.w./day), but other studies are necessary to estimate the human exp
osure.