Cadmium: Can Be Harmful

Cadmium, a metal found in natural deposits, is used for metal plating and coating. It can be found in metal plating, photography, transportation equipment and television phosphors, and when it is coupled with nickel it is used for items like solar batteries. Still, the Environmental Protection Agency discovered that cadmium can have several negative effects on a person’s health. These harmful effects occur when a person is exposed to large amounts of cadmium even for a short period of time. Cadmium can cause the following:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Cramps
Loss of senses
Harm to the liver
Renal failure
Nausea
Convulsions

If a person comes in contact with cadmium for a long period of time, or a lifetime of exposure, it could lead to damage in the blood, kidney, liver and bones. People can contaminate themselves through water, since cadmium occurs naturally in minerals like zinc, lead and copper which are a source for ground and surface water. Often, those who experience cadmium poisoning are those who come into contact with it at work. Those who produce metal plating and nickel-cadmium batteries, plastics and synthetics are usually exposed to the toxins through inhalation. Inhalation of cadmium can lead to chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema and even death.

Aside from those who work with cadmium, others can come in contact with the metal while in nature. Usually, if a person experiences cadmium poisoning from the environment, it is because of burning fossil fuels and coming into contact with municipal wastes. Smokers are also susceptible since tobacco smoking is the largest single source of cadmium exposure. Up to 10 percent of the cadmium content of a cigarette is inhaled by its smoker and 50 percent of that is absorbed by the body. This is one instance in which second hand smoke is not as harmful as actually smoking. Those who smoke have up to 5 times more cadmium in their blood and up to 3 times more cadmium in their kidneys than non smokers.