Diagnosis of cadmium nephropathy is likely with the following: History of occupational exposure to cadmium Increased levels of urinary beta2-microglobulin (missed by urinary dipstick protein testing but detected using radioimmunoassay) Increased urinary cadmium levels (> 7 mcg / g creatinine) Treatment is elimination of cadmium exposure; note that chelation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) may aggravate renal toxicity in acute cadmium poisoning but has been used successfully in cases of chronic cadmium exposure.