RESUMEN
To determine whether olfactory function is impaired or not in industrial workers chronically exposed to cadmium. Fifty-two workers divided into two groups, smokers and non-smokers, and working in the production and maintenance of cadmium-nickel batteries had their blood cadmium level measured and their sense of smell tested using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test [UPSIT]. UPSIT scores revealed significant olfactory impairment in the smokers who were found to have an average score of 24.63 +/- 4.81 [severe microsmia] compared to the nonsmokers who were found to have an average score of 32.9 1 +/- 3.53 [mild microsmia] and this difference was statistically significant [p<0.0005]. This difference could be attributed to the significant difference in blood cadmium level between both groups [p<0.0005], being higher in the smokers group [average = 0.07 +/- 0.03] compared to the non-smokers group which was within normal range [average = 0.02 +/- 0.01]; the source of excess cadmium here could be from the tobacco and not the duration of exposure as there was no significant difference between the two groups as regards the duration of employment [p<0.182]. Also, in the smokers group there was a strong inverse correlation between the UPSIT score on one side, and blood cadmium level and smoking index on the other side and this was statistically significant [r=-0.625 and -0.672 respectively], but no correlation was found between the UPSIT score and duration of employment [r=-0.066]. Smokers occupationally exposed to cadmium are at a higher risk of having impaired olfaction, compared to the non-smokers