Brian Barton
Cadmium is a non-essential, soft, bluish-white metal that is toxic to humans. It is a naturally occurring element found in the earth's crust and oceans, but human activities such as mining, smelting, and burning fossil fuels have released it into the environment. Cadmium pollution comes from industrial processes, agricultural activities, and the disposal of hazardous waste. It can contaminate water, air, and soil, entering the food chain and causing health issues for both humans and animals. Exposure to cadmium can lead to serious health issues, including cancer, and it is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sources of cadmium pollution | Industrial processes, mining, smelting, burning fossil fuels, coal usage, incineration of municipal waste, metals production, and fossil fuel combustion |
| Cigarette smoke, contaminated food and water, phosphate fertilisers, sewage sludge, electroplating, paints, plastics, nuclear reactors, solar cells, pigments | |
| Manufacturing, construction, wholesale trade, transportation, shipyard employment, agriculture | |
| Health effects | Kidney, lung, bone, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory issues, cancer |
| Preventative measures | Pollution controls, regulations, safe working conditions, reducing emissions, safe recycling, eliminating cadmium from products, implementing WHO guidelines |
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Industrial processes
Mining and Smelting:
Mining and smelting operations, particularly those involving zinc, lead, and copper, are major sources of cadmium pollution. When sulfide ores containing these metals are mined and processed, cadmium is released as a
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Mining and smelting
Cadmium pollution is a serious issue that has been linked to mining and smelting activities. These industrial processes can release toxic heavy metals into the environment, which then contaminate soil, water, and even the food we eat.
Mining, particularly coal mining and the mining of metal ores, disturbs the geochemical environment and leads to the release of metallic trace elements (MTEs). These MTEs, including cadmium, can then be absorbed by plants, especially through their root systems, and accumulate in the parts that we consume. Studies have shown that vegetables grown in allotment gardens located in previously mined areas had high levels of cadmium, posing a significant health risk to consumers.
Smelting operations, especially the smelting of non-ferrous metals, also contribute significantly to cadmium pollution. The fumes and waste generated during smelting contain heavy metals, which are released into the atmosphere and deposited onto the surrounding soil. This results in elevated levels of cadmium in the soil, which can then be taken up by plants and enter the food chain. For example, a study conducted near an active lead-zinc mine and copper smelter in China found that soil and rice samples had cadmium concentrations exceeding national tolerance limits.
The impact of mining and smelting on cadmium pollution is not limited to the immediate vicinity of these operations. Wind-blown mine waste can carry cadmium and other contaminants over long distances, affecting even distant areas. Furthermore, water erosion can cause the leaching of heavy metals into groundwater and surface water, leading to the contamination of water sources.
The health risks associated with cadmium exposure are significant. Chronic dietary exposure to cadmium has been linked to various health problems, including hematological, respiratory, and cardiovascular issues, as well as an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. The buildup of cadmium in the body can lead to serious toxicity, and even small amounts of cadmium from smoking or electronic cigarettes are highly toxic due to the efficient absorption by the lungs.
To mitigate the impact of mining and smelting on cadmium pollution, preventive measures must be implemented. This includes the regulation of cadmium in fertilizers, which can add significant amounts of cadmium to the soil, and the implementation of pollution controls to prevent the release of hazardous waste and emissions from industrial sites.
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Cigarette smoke
The cadmium in cigarette smoke is inhaled and absorbed through the lungs. It is likely to be deposited locally in lung tissue and/or absorbed into the systemic blood circulation. As a result, cadmium concentrations in the blood can be up to four or five times higher in smokers than non-smokers, and kidney concentrations can be up to two or three times higher. Cadmium exposure has been linked to lung disease, with studies showing that inhalation exposure to high concentrations of cadmium oxide in fumes irritates the lungs. Cadmium in tobacco smoke may contribute to the development of pulmonary emphysema.
The tobacco plant tends to absorb higher levels of cadmium when grown in contaminated soils. This means that cigarette brands with similar tar deliveries could yield markedly different smoke particulate levels of heavy metals depending on where the tobacco was grown. The use of carbon filters in cigarettes has been shown to increase the retention of cadmium.
The health effects of cadmium exposure include an increased risk of obstructive lung disorder. Smokers typically have cadmium blood and body burdens more than double those of non-smokers, and clinicians should be aware that smokers will generally have higher urinary cadmium levels. Blood and urine tests can measure the amount of cadmium present in the body.
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Fertilisers
Cadmium is a naturally occurring toxic metal that is widely distributed in the environment. It is a non-essential and harmful element for humans, mainly affecting the kidneys and the skeleton. It is also carcinogenic when inhaled.
Cadmium pollution in soil and groundwater is observed worldwide. The main sources of cadmium pollution include mining, industry, waste management, agriculture, and urban areas.
The presence of heavy metals in inorganic fertilisers, such as phosphate and micronutrient fertilisers, is well established. Analytical testing has shown that these types of fertilisers can contain elevated levels of cadmium compared to other types. In the United States, the presence of heavy metals in fertilisers has been a concern, with several products no longer licensed for sale in certain states.
In the European Union, regulations have been implemented to control the levels of heavy metals in fertilisers. The 2019 Fertilising Products Regulation set limit values for contaminants in organic and mineral fertilisers available on the EU market. However, the lack of systematic monitoring of contaminants in fertilisers makes it challenging to estimate the health burden associated with their application.
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Food
Cadmium is a naturally occurring toxic metal and a human carcinogen. It is a non-essential and harmful element for humans, affecting mainly the kidneys, lungs, and the skeleton. Food is the primary source of cadmium exposure for non-smokers. The daily intake of cadmium through food varies by geographic region, with an average intake of 8 to 30 μg in Europe and the United States, and 59 to 113 μg in Japan.
The major food groups that contribute the most to dietary cadmium exposure are cereals, grains, rice, vegetables, starchy roots or potatoes, meat and meat products, shellfish and seafood, and bivalve molluscs. Vegetarians and regular consumers of bivalve molluscs and wild mushrooms have a higher dietary exposure to cadmium due to their high consumption of cereals, nuts, oilseeds, and pulses.
Cadmium accumulates in the soil through the use of fertilizers, industrial emissions, and atmospheric deposition. It is then absorbed by plants and can accumulate in the food chain, ultimately affecting animals and humans. Studies have found high levels of cadmium contamination in rice and other foods produced in polluted areas, such as in Thailand.
The presence of cadmium in food can lead to health risks. Ingesting high levels of cadmium through contaminated food or drink can cause stomach irritation, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, flu-like symptoms, swelling of the throat, and tingling hands. Chronic exposure to cadmium has been linked to kidney disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and an increased risk of cancer.
To reduce the risk of cadmium exposure from food, regulatory bodies such as the European Commission and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have established maximum levels and safe intake levels for cadmium in certain foods. These measures aim to protect vulnerable populations, such as infants and young children, from the harmful effects of cadmium exposure.
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Frequently asked questions
Cadmium pollution is caused by the release of cadmium into the environment through industrial processes, mining, and smelting. It is also released through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, and the incineration of waste such as plastics and batteries.
Cadmium is a toxic metal and a known carcinogen. It is harmful to both the environment and humans. It can cause cancer and affects the body's cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems. Cadmium can be absorbed by plants from contaminated water or soil, and then enter the food chain.
Humans are exposed to cadmium pollution through contaminated food and water, inhalation of tobacco smoke, and through industrial processes in the workplace. It can also enter the body through the skin.
The health effects of cadmium exposure depend on the level of exposure and the duration of exposure. Short-term exposure can cause symptoms similar to the flu, while long-term exposure can cause lung damage and shortness of breath. Cadmium is stored in the liver and kidneys and can cause chronic diseases of the renal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems.
