Workers at an Ohio electronics recycling facility were exposed to cadmium, a toxin known to cause cancer that targets the body’s cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems, according to OSHA.

RSR Partners, operating as Regency Technologies, has been cited by OSHA for 11 health and safety violations at its Upper Sandusky facility, carrying proposed fines of $66,000. Nine of those violations cited involve exposing workers to cadmium, a metal found in the components of some televisions and other electronics equipment.

"Regency Technologies has a responsibility to protect workers from unique hazards found in its facility, such as cadmium, and to conduct the proper exposure and medical monitoring necessary to ensure that permissible exposure levels are not exceeded," said Kim Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "Exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects on the kidneys, lungs and bones."

Eight serious citations involve violations of OSHA's standards on exposure to cadmium, including overexposure; surface contamination; lack of personal protective equipment; engineering controls; training; medical surveillance; and established regulated areas and changing rooms for cadmium exposure.

Additionally, two serious health violations were cited for failing to train workers in bloodborne pathogen standards and lack of hepatitis B vaccinations for bloodborne pathogen exposure.

One other-than-serious violation was cited for failing to post warning signs for cadmium regulated areas.

Requirements to protect workers from cadmium exposure are addressed in specific OSHA cadmium standards covering general industry (1910.1027), shipyards (1915.1027), construction (1926.1127) and agriculture (1928.1027).