Cadmium

Updated: July 9th, 2010 |

HEALTH CONCERNS
Is this chemical a carcinogen?	Yes
How can it affect me?	Prolonged exposure to cadmium has been shown to cause kidney disease, severe bone loss and lung cancer. The danger is jewelry containing cadmium that is marketed to children. Children tend to put things in thier mouths where ingestion of cadmium is increased. Cadmium is less immediately toxic than lead since lead breaks down more easily when exposed to stomach acid. Ingesting larger amounts of cadmium would result in serious illness involving diarrhea and vomiting.  It’s not likely to be deadly as quickly as lead poisoning. There are currently studies underway by the Comsumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to determine a standard for acceptable levels, hopefully by the end of summer 2010.
Are there controversial issues?	There is increasing concern about products manufactured in China containing dangerous levels of cadmium. Many products consist of 84 % – 90% cadmium.  Most products are cheap metal pendants and bracelets, but have also been discovered in Shrek-themed drinking glasses marketed by McDonald’s. There is fear that with the strict regulations of lead in products that there will be more and more cadmium being substituted for lead.