The Dangers of Cadmium

Cadmium is a rare chemical element. It is represented as Cd on the periodic table with an atomic number 48. It is an impurity in zinc ores. "Cadmium is isolated from the zinc metal by vacuum distillation (forced evaporation process) if the zinc is smelted, or cadmium sulfate is precipitated out of the electrolysis solution."

Cadmium is a bioaccumulating substance, which means that the body absorbs and holds it and isn't able to expel it at a rate fast enough to be safe. Toxic over exposure occurs at very low levels. Toxic heavy metal cadmium is a known carcinogen. It is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). And it has a very low permissible exposure level (PEL). Basically, there are guidelines within which industry is supposed to operate to increase public safety.

Industry Use of Cadmium is Changing

As a result of the regulation, and the expense involved with getting it, many industries are working toward discontinuing its use completely. Industries that produce cadmium as a by-product are working to lessen the emissions and to protect their employees from exposure.

Cadmium is used in the manufacture of the following: plastics, batteries, fertilizers, and plating metal parts. Nickel-cadmium batteries are the most popular product including this metal.

Many paint manufactures are working to eliminate the use of cadmium. They are seeking effective alternatives that will have the life of cadmium paints. One cadmium-free pigment combines a polycarbonate alloy with acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS). It withstood a test exposing it to the equivalent of 3 years exposure to sun. The safety of the new ingredient remains to be seen.

Other efforts that companies are making to improve employee and environmental safety include:

• Change out processes that reduce the production of cadmium waste materials
• Implementation of machinery designed to reduce exposure to cadmium fumes
• Replace cadmium with alternative, environmentally safe materials

Some manufacturers are finding environmentally friendly alternatives. In batteries, calcium is a powder by-product that is put out in waste water. One success story is of a company that made the investment to alter the process of to collect the waste metals that were by-products of battery production. This particular company recuperated its $50,000 investment in 6 months.

Heavy Metals Exposure to Cadmium

Although many industries are working to reduce this hazard, the danger is still present. It is the responsibility of everyone to know, as much as possible, where the dangers lie and how to minimize them.

When cadmium is heated the fumes that are emitted are not irritating enough to draw attention to it. So, workers exposed don't notice immediately but only after they incur some health issues. It's considered extremely toxic and has a low permissible exposure limit (PEL). Overexposure occurs at low levels, and cadmium is toxic at low levels. The hazard of exposure is also in the removal of cadmium paints, welding on alloys containing cadmium or work with silver solders.

Other exposures include:

• Nickel-cadmium batteries are the most popular
• The burning of tobacco in cigarettes and marijuana
• Contaminated food, water and dust
• Fumes from hazardous waste facilities
• Fertilizers containing the metal

Foods That May Contain Cadmium

How Cadmium Behaves in the Body

Heavy metal cadmium is of no use to the human body and it's toxic at very low levels. At very low levels the body can change cadmium into something harmless and expel it. If not absorbed by the lungs, kidneys or intestine, then it is expelled regularly on exhaling and in feces when the bowels move. Overexposure causes a lot of damage including the threat of renal failure, cancer and death.

It's at higher amounts that the organs to be overloaded. How it affects your body is predicated on how it's ingested.

• Inhaled cadmium affects the respirator tract and kidney
• Some report a loss of their sense of smell
• The damage can be fatal, as in the case of renal failure
• Ingestion can damage the kidneys as well as the liver. The kidney damage from cadmium poisoning is irreversible and does not heal over time.
• Heart and Lung Irritations
• Breathing Problems
• Fluid Buildup in the Lungs
• Coughing
• Bones may soften making one more prone to fractures. In severe cases, a person's own body weight can cause fractures
• Testes, prostate, lungs and female reproductive system may also be damaged

What Can I Do To Protect Myself?

The Cadmium Testing Kit

• Eating a healthy diet and getting the proper nutrition, decreases the body's absorption of cadmium. As much as possible, eat organically grown fruit, vegetables and meat. It may be a little more expensive, but your health is worth it.
• Cleansing your colon with a good oxygen-based colon cleanse will clean the intestinal wall and allow it to properly absorb the nutrients from food.
• Get yourself tested to determine the level of cadmium in your body. You can also perform the test at home using the Cadmium Heavy Metal Testing Kit. If your levels are too high, I would suggest you use the heavy metals cleanses that we have available, as well.

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