Do you live near a cadmium source?

Cadmium

Cadmium (symbol Cd) is a toxic soft heavy metal element.

Cadmium is found with zinc ores. 75% of it is used in batteries (particularly Ni-Cd batteries, invented by Thomas A. Edison), including those used in PCs, and can be released when they are disposed of in land fill. Nickel-cadmium batteries are also used in electrical cars. Cadmium and/or its compounds are also used in pigments (as used by Vincent Van Gogh) (cadmium sulphide is yellow), coatings, electro-plating, solder, alloys, PVC stabilizers, some semiconductors, in television phosphors, and as a barrier for controlling nuclear fission.

Though rare, cadmium tends to be a byproduct of the mining, smelting, and refining of zinc sulfide ores, and sometimes lead or copper. Some is also released as dust from the recycling of iron and steel scrap (cadmium coatings are used for the corrosion protection of steel).

Cadmium has no use in the human body, and it is poisonous and very toxic to it, as it interferes with processes needing zinc, and possibly also magnesium and calcium. Cadmium dust inhalation leads to lung and kidney problem that can kill, generally as a result of kidney failure. Care should therefore be taken when using silver solder, for example, or using cadmium plating baths over a period of time. Cadmium compounds are carcinogenic. Europe plans to ban its use in electronics from July 2006.

Cadmium can come from cigarette smoke, and is more likely with counterfeit cigarettes. It is absorbed more easily in the lungs than in the gut.

The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 required the U.S. EPA to set safe levels for cadmium in drinking water. The regulation became effective in 1992. According to the EPA, the US produced 2.9 million lbs. of cadmium in 1986 and imported nearly twice as much again. The largest releases have tended to be from industrial sites in Arizona and Utah. Water utilities must monitor water supplies for cadmium and warn consumers if the levels are too high.

Cadmium builds up through the food chain (Bioaccumulation). For example, it has been found in swordfish from Indonesia. It builds up in animals' livers and kidneys. It also builds up in the water, air, and soil, particularly near industry. Food grown in such areas may have elevated levels of cadmium. For instance, in Japan, where cadmium causes itai-itai disease, rice was grown in cadmium-contaminated irrigation water.

Cadmium might not be the most widespread pollutant, but it is one to watch out for, particularly if you live near a smelter or refinery.

U.S. Bodies Have Fewer Dangerous Chemicals

The CDC has released its third biennial National Report on Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. Compared to tests done in the early 1990s, lead levels in children have dropped by nearly two thirds, due mainly to banning lead in gasoline. Restrictions on smoking are credited for significant reductions in a nicotine product in the blood of both adults and children. The CDC tested for 148 environmental chemicals, the levels of many of which had dropped. Whilst levels of many chemicals were low, some smokers had more of the heavy metal cadmium in their blood than was safe for their kidneys. 38 chemicals, mainly pesticides, were tested for the first time. 43 out of 1,200 registered pesticides were tested for in all. Mercury levels in women of childbearing age are still a concern.

Recent news stories involving cadmium include:

• Canada firm eyes clean up of abandoned mines July 14 2005
• Canada Smelter Blamed for Lake's Pollution March 09 2005
• Bananas, Root Veggies May Cut Kidney Cancer Risk January 21 2005
• Intel, eBay Launch Recycling Initiative January 07 2005
• Britain Warns of Contraband Cigarettes Danger December 15 2004
• 'E-Junk' Recycling Still in Its Infancy December 06 2004
• Scientists Warn of Toxins in Fish November 22 2004

Please see the following message for the remaining stories.

Signs point to global flu outbreak -WHO warning

The increased geographical of cases of avian flu in both humans and birds leads the World Health Organization (WHO) to believe that a global influenza pandemic may be approaching. Indonesia has had its first human cases, and Russia its first poultry cases. The last pandemic was in 1968, when there were similar early warning signs. The WHO assesses the risk as a three on a scale of six and called for greater vigilance and preventative measures, and more testing in China.

Group Takes 550 Gerbils From Small House

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has removed 550 gerbils that had been stacked to the ceilings in a one-bedroom house in Portsmouth, southern England, and is seeking homes for them and their offspring-to-be. Many of the gerbils were in poor condition and in need of need veterinary attention.

Moose Removed From Colorado Army Post

A 500-pound female moose infiltrated the Army post at Fort Carson, in Colorado Springs. It was tranquilized and taken to Grand Mesa in a trailer along with 600 pounds of ice to keep it cool on the journey.

Zoo Names Penguin After Steelers Announcer

A baby gentoo penguin at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is to be called Myron (or Myra) after retired Pittsburgh Steelers radio announcer Myron Cope.

Expert: More Needed for Animal Diseases

An Iowa State University expert has told a Senate subcommittee that "U.S. agriculture is highly vulnerable to the accidental or intentional introduction of foreign and emerging animal diseases", so the federal government needs to do more, such as stockpiling vaccines and building high-security labs for research. Avian influenza and Nipah virus (a disease that spread from bats to pigs and humans in Malaysia) are examples of such a disease. Biological terrorism is a concern.

Program Seeks Help Finding Dragonflies

The New York Natural Heritage Program wants the public to help catalogue dragonflies and damselflies for their New York Dragonfly and Damselfly Atlas project. One new species has already been found.

Bears Wander Into Motels in New Mexico

Two bears entered motels in New Mexico. One was killed as it was a repeat offender, the other ran off.

Horse-and-Plow Farming Making a Comeback

More and more small farmers are turning back the clock and using horses and plows on their fields. There are now about 400,000 people using horses for jobs like farming and logging. With rising fuel prices they are saving farmers money, they can produce their own replacements, are better for the soil and can be used in wetter conditions.

Endangered turtles sold in Singapore pet shops

The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) says that twenty percent of Singapore pet shops sell endangered turtles including the Chinese stripe-necked turtle, the Chinese softshell turtle, the Australian snake-necked turtle and the pig-nosed turtle.

Honduras crocodiles safe from hunters, not handbags

The Cocodrilos Continental crocodile farm in northwestern Honduras was intended to be a conservation project, saving the native population of American crocodiles (Crocodylus Acutus) from hunters, and within the aim of returning some to the wild. Now, for every crocodile that entertains the tourists, 9 are factory farmed then killed and turned into handbags.

Hawaiian Caterpillar Has Unique Taste

A type of caterpillar found in Hawaii, Hyposmocoma molluscivora, does not eat a vegetarian diet like almost all caterpillars. Instead it eats snails, a preference unheard of before. They spin silk around the snails so they cannot escape.

Expert Questions Existence of Woodpecker

The zoologist author of a book on the ivory-billed woodpecker says he is not sure that the bird has been rediscovered in southeast Arkansas, though he is not denying the possibility either.

Do you live near a cadmium source?

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