What is Cadmium?

According to Wikipedia, Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. The soft, bluish-white metal is chemically similar to the two other metals in group 12, zinc and mercury. Similar to zinc it prefers oxidation state +2 in most of its compounds and similar to mercury it shows a low melting point compared to transition metals. Cadmium and its congeners are not considered transition metals, in that they do not have partly filled d or f electron shells in the elemental or common oxidation states. Cadmium is a relatively abundant element. Cadmium was discovered in 1817 by Friedrich Stromeyer as an impurity in zinc carbonate.

Pure cadmium is a soft, silver-white metal found naturally in small amounts in soil.

The number one use of cadmium can be found in rechargeable batteries. In 2004, The European Union banned all use of cadmium in electronics. There were few exceptions to the rule, leaving there percentage rate at 0.02%.

Cigarettes contain the element cadmium, therefore when smokers inhale, they are inhaling cadmium. If you are not a smoker, the most common ways someone can be exposed to cadmium is by eating fruits and vegetables, grains, potatoes and leafy vegetables that are grown in soil that have high levels of cadmium. Meats such as liver or kidneys also contain high levels of cadmium in them.

Cadmium is not absorbed easily through the skin. If you are eating or drinking something that has cadmium in it, only a small amount will be absorbed. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, cadmium levels that are found in the environment are not high enough to cause any damage. If you were to eat or drink something that has a high level of cadmium in it, stomach ache, vomiting, and diarrhea may result from the exposure.

There has been no evidence that the low levels of cadmium that are usually found in the environment have caused cancer. They have found that if you have been breathing lower levels of cadmium over a period of years, it can result in a build up of cadmium in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney disease, as well as fragile bones.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limits the amount of cadmium allowed in drinking water, lakes, rivers, landfills, and cropland. USEPA does not allow cadmium in pesticides. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration limits cadmium levels in food, and limits the amount in ceramicware.

If you would like more information regarding cadmium, please contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30341. You can also call them at (800) 232-4636, 24 hours everyday.

As a precautionary measure, McDonalds have recalled the "Shrek Forever After" glasses. The CPSC clearly has stated that the glasses are NOT toxic, there has been no reports of any injury due to these specific glasses. If you would like more information regarding the voluntary recall, please visit Shrek Forever Glassware Recall.