Low-level exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury, and histopathological findings in kidney biopsies

•Metal concentrations and histopathology were examined in kidneys from healthy donors.•Histopathological changes were scored according to the Banff grading.•Tubular atrophy increased with kidney cadmium, adjusted for age, sex and smoking.•The results suggest that even low levels of cadmium can induce mild tubular atrophy.