Which of the following is a significant source of cadmium exposure for the general population?

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Cadmium exposure in the general population is driven most by cigarette smoke. Tobacco leaves accumulate cadmium from the soil, and when tobacco is burned, the cadmium is inhaled in the smoke. The lungs absorb cadmium efficiently, and because cadmium stays in the body for a long time, smokers tend to have higher cadmium levels than non-smokers. This makes smoking a major, widespread source of cadmium for the general population, more impactful than dietary sources overall. While cadmium is present in some foods and occupational exposures can raise risk for workers, those routes are either less general or limited to specific groups.