Cadmium
Overview
Cadmium metal CAS No. 7440-43-9
Cadmium fumes CAS No. 1306-19-0
Cadmium metal (Cd) is a silver-white solid, tinged with blue. Cadmium is found in cadmium fumes (CdO) and cadmium compounds. Workers may be harmed from exposure to cadmium. It is a highly toxic carcinogenic that is harmful to most of the body’s systems, especially to the lungs, bones, and kidneys. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.
Cadmium is used in many industries. It’s used in the manufacturing of some batteries and solar cells, electroplating, and silver soldering. Construction workers involved in demolition can be exposed to dust containing cadmium. Other examples of workers at risk of cadmium exposure include the following:
- Workers exposed to cadmium-containing pigments and coatings
- Factory workers in plants that manufacture Ni-Cd batteries
- Workers in electroplating shops or factories
- Electronic recycling workers exposed to telephone and electric cables
NIOSH recommends that employers use Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries. If you work in an industry that uses cadmium, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheet for hazard information. Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace to learn more about controlling chemical workplace exposures.
The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to cadmium. Useful search terms for cadmium fumes include “cadmium monoxide” and “cadmium oxide fumes.”
NIOSH Chemical Resources
Related NIOSH Resources
- NIOSHTIC-2 search results on cadmium – NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable database of worker safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
- NIOSH Worker Health Study Summaries – NIOSH conducts research to prevent illnesses and injuries in the workplace. The NIOSH Worker Notification Program notifies workers and other stakeholders about the findings of these research studies.
- NIOSH Worker Health Study Summary for Cadmium Recovery Workers (1991)
- Documentation for Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH) for Cadmium Compounds – The IDLH documents the criteria and information sources that have been used by NIOSH to determine immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations.
Selected Publications
- Criteria for a Recommendation Standard: Occupational Exposure to Cadmium – DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 76-192 (1976). Presents a standard to prevent the adverse effects of exposure to cadmium over a working lifetime.
- Current Intelligence Bulletin No. 42: Cadmium (Cd) – DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 84-116 (1984)
- NIOSH Occupational Health Guidelines for Cadmium Dust (as Cadmium)*
- NIOSH Occupational Health Guidelines for Cadmium Fume
- Cadmium and Compounds, as Cd (7048) Measurement Methods
Related Resources
- ATSDR ToxFAQs for Cadmium
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Cadmium
- EPA Air Toxics: Cadmium Compounds
- EPA Chemistry Dashboard: Cadmium
- EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS): Cadmium
- NLM Haz-Map: Cadmium Oxide and Cadmium Compounds
- NLM Hazardous Substance Data Bank: Cadmium
- NTP Report on Carcinogens (Fourteenth Edition): Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds
- NTP Scientific Review of Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds
- OSHA Chemical Sampling Information
- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
- OSHA Safety and Health Topics: Cadmium
- New Jersey Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Cadmium
International Resources
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): Cadmium Compounds
- IARC Monographs: Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds
- International Chemical Safety Cards: Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds
- IPCS INCHEM: Environment Health Criteria 134: Cadmium
- IPCS INCHEM: Cadmium
- Gestis Substance Database
- OECD Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substances