CADMIUM 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine ToxFAQsTM September 2008 

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about cadmium. For more 

information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. This fact sheet is one in a series 

of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this 

information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance 

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other 

chemicals are present. 

HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to cadmium happens mostly in the workplace where 

cadmium products are made. The general population is exposed from breathing 

cigarette smoke or eating cadmium contaminated foods. Cadmium damages the 

kidneys, lungs, and bones. Cadmium has been found in at least 1,014 of the 1,669 

National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA). 

What is cadmium? 

Cadmium is a natural element in the earth’s crust. It is usually 

found as a mineral combined with other elements such as 

oxygen (cadmium oxide), chlorine (cadmium chloride), or 

sulfur (cadmium sulfate, cadmium sulfide). 

All soils and rocks, including coal and mineral fertilizers, 

contain some cadmium. Most cadmium used in the United 

States is extracted during the production of other metals like 

zinc, lead, and copper. Cadmium does not corrode easily 

and has many uses, including batteries, pigments, metal 

coatings, and plastics. 

What happens to cadmium when it enters the 

environment? 

‘ Cadmium enters soil, water, and air from mining, industry, 

and burning coal and household wastes. 

‘ Cadmium does not break down in the environment, but 

can change forms. 

‘ Cadmium particles in air can travel long distances before 

falling to the ground or water. 

‘ Some forms of cadmium dissolve in water. 

‘ Cadmium binds strongly to soil particles. 

‘ Fish, plants, and animals take up cadmium from the 

environment. 

How might I be exposed to cadmium? 

‘ Eating foods containing cadmium; low levels are found 

in all foods (highest levels are found in shellfish, liver, and 

kidney meats). 

‘ Smoking cigarettes or breathing cigarette smoke. 

‘ Breathing contaminated workplace air. 

‘ Drinking contaminated water. 

‘ Living near industrial facilities which release cadmium 

into the air. 

How can cadmium affect my health? 

Breathing high levels of cadmium can severely damage 

the lungs. Eating food or drinking water with very high 

levels severely irritates the stomach, leading to vomiting 

and diarrhea. 

Long-term exposure to lower levels of cadmium in air, food, 

or water leads to a buildup of cadmium in the kidneys and 

possible kidney disease. Other long-term effects are lung 

damage and fragile bones. 

How likely is cadmium to cause cancer? 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 

has determined that cadmium and cadmium compounds 

are known human carcinogens. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
 

 

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Federal Recycling Program Printed on Recycled Paper 

ToxFAQsTM Internet address is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html 

Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 

Registry, Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: 

1-800-232-4636, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQs Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html. ATSDR 

can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat 

illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental 

quality department if you have any more questions or concerns. 

How can cadmium affect children? 

The health effects in children are expected to be similar 

to the effects seen in adults (kidney, lung, and bone 

damage depending on the route of exposure). 

A few studies in animals indicate that younger animals 

absorb more cadmium than adults. Animal studies also 

indicate that the young are more susceptible than adults 

to a loss of bone and decreased bone strength from 

exposure to cadmium. 

We don’t know if cadmium causes birth defects in people. 

The babies of animals exposed to high levels of cadmium 

during pregnancy had changes in behavior and learning ability. 

There is also some information from animal studies that high 

enough exposures to cadmium before birth can reduce body 

weights and affect the skeleton in the developing young. 

How can families reduce the risks of exposure to 

cadmium? 

‘ In the home, store substances that contain cadmium safely, 

and keep nickel-cadmium batteries out of reach of young 

children. 

‘ Cadmium is a component of tobacco smoke. Avoid 

smoking in enclosed spaces like inside the home or car in 

order to limit exposure to children and other family members. 

‘ If you work with cadmium, use all safety precautions to 

avoid carrying cadmium-containing dust home from work 

on your clothing, skin, hair, or tools. 

‘ A balanced diet can reduce the amount of cadmium 

taken into the body from food and drink. 

Is there a medical test to determine whether I’ve 

been exposed to cadmium? 

Cadmium can be measured in blood, urine, hair, or nails. 

Urinary cadmium has been shown to accurately reflect 

the amount of cadmium in the body. 

The amount of cadmium in your blood shows your recent 

exposure to cadmium. The amount of cadmium in your 

urine shows both your recent and your past exposure. 

Has the federal government made recommendations 

to protect human health? 

The EPA has determined that exposure to cadmium in 

drinking water at concentrations of 0.04 ppm for up to 

10 days is not expected to cause any adverse effects in a 

child. 

The EPA has determined that lifetime exposure to 

0.005 ppm cadmium is not expected to cause any 

adverse effects. 

The FDA has determined that the cadmium concentration 

in bottled drinking water should not exceed 0.005 ppm. 

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration 

(OSHA) has limited workers’ exposure to an average of 

5 μg/m3

 for an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek. 

References 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 

2008. Toxicological Profile for Cadmium (Draft for Public 

Comment). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Public Health 

and Human Services, Public Health Service. 

CADMIUM 

CAS # 7440-43-9