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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

This Public Health Statement is the summary chapter from the Toxicological Profile for cadmium. It is 

one in a series of Public Health Statements about hazardous substances and their health effects. A shorter 

version, the ToxFAQsTM, is also available. This information is important 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. For more information, 

call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. 

This public health statement tells you about cadmium and the effects of exposure to it. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the 

nation. These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for long-term 

federal clean-up activities. Cadmium has been found in at least 1,014 of the 1,669 current or former NPL 

sites. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known, the possibility 

exists that the number of sites at which cadmium is found may increase in the future as more sites are 

evaluated. This information is important because these sites may be sources of exposure and exposure to 

this substance may be harmful. 

When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, 

such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Such a release does not always lead to exposure. You 

can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, 

eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. 

If you are exposed to cadmium or cadmium compounds, many factors will determine whether you will be 

harmed. These factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in 

contact with it. You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, 

family traits, lifestyle, and state of health. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

What is cadmium? 

Description Metal found in the earth’s crust, associated with zinc, lead, and copper ores. 

Pure cadmium is a soft, silver-white metal. Cadmium chloride and cadmium 

sulfate are soluble in water. 

Uses 

 Manufact 

uring 

 Consumer 

products 

Most cadmium used in the United States is extracted as a byproduct during 

the production of other metals such as zinc, lead, or copper. Cadmium is 

also recovered from used batteries. 

Cadmium is used for the following: 

 batteries (83%) 

 pigments (8%) 

 coatings and platings (7%) 

 stabilizers for plastics (1.2%) 

 nonferrous alloys, photovoltaic devices, and other uses (0.8%) 

What happens to cadmium when it enters the environment? 

Sources Cadmium is emitted to soil, water, and air by non-ferrous metal mining and 

refining, manufacture and application of phosphate fertilizers, fossil fuel 

combustion, and waste incineration and disposal. 

Cadmium can accumulate in aquatic organisms and agricultural crops. 

Fate Cadmium (as oxide, chloride, and sulfate) will exist in air as particles or 

 Air vapors (from high temperature processes). It can be transported long 

distances in the atmosphere, where it will deposit (wet or dry) onto soils and 

water surfaces. 

 Soil Cadmium and its compounds may travel through soil, but its mobility depends 

on several factors such as pH and amount of organic matter, which will vary 

depending on the local environment. Generally, cadmium binds strongly to 

organic matter where it will be immobile in soil and be taken up by plant life, 

eventually, entering the food supply. 

 Water Cadmium exists as the hydrated ion or as ionic complexes with other 

inorganic or organic substances. Soluble forms migrate in water. Insoluble 

forms of cadmium are immobile and will deposit and absorb to sediments. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

How might I be exposed to cadmium? 

Food and In the United States, for nonsmokers the primary source of cadmium 

smoking— exposure is from the food supply. In general, leafy vegetables such as 

lettuce and spinach, potatoes and grains, peanuts, soybeans, and sunflower 

primary sources seeds contain high levels of cadmium, approximately 0.05–0.12 mg 

of exposure cadmium/kg. 

Tobacco leaves accumulate high levels of cadmium from the soil. 

The national geometric mean blood cadmium level for adults is 0.38 μg/L. A 

geometric mean blood cadmium level of 1.58 μg/L for New York City 

smokers has been reported. The amount of cadmium absorbed from 

smoking one pack of cigarettes per day is about 1–3 μg/day. Direct 

measurement of cadmium levels in body tissues confirms that smoking 

roughly doubles cadmium body burden in comparison to not smoking. 

Air Except for people living near cadmium-emitting industries, inhalation of 

cadmium is not expected to be a major concern. 

Water Elevated cadmium levels in water sources in the vicinity of cadmium emitting 

industries (historical and current) have been reported. Aquatic organisms will 

accumulate cadmium, possibly entering the food supply. People who fish in 

local waters as a means of food should be cautious and abide by any 

advisories. 

Occupational Highest risk of exposure from processes involving heating cadmium 

containing materials such as smelting and electroplating. Risk will vary exposure depending on the workplace. 

Major route of exposure is through inhalation of dust and fumes or incidental 

ingestion from contaminated hands, food, or cigarettes. 

Exposure can be controlled through personal protective equipment, good 

industrial hygiene practices, and control and reduction of cadmium 

emissions. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

How can cadmium enter and leave my body? 

Enter your body 

 Inhalation 

 Ingestion 

 Dermal 

contact 

About 5–50% of the cadmium you breathe will enter your body through 

your lungs. 

A small amount of the cadmium in food and water (about 1–10%) will 

enter your body through the digestive tract. If you do not have enough 

iron or other nutrients in your diet, you are likely to take up more 

cadmium from your food than usual. 

Virtually no cadmium enters your body through your skin. 

Leave your body Most of the cadmium that enters your body goes to your kidney and liver 

and can remain there for many years. A small portion of the cadmium 

that enters your body leaves slowly in urine and feces. 

Your body can change most cadmium to a form that is not harmful, but 

too much cadmium can overload the ability of your liver and kidney to 

change the cadmium to a harmless form. 

How can cadmium affect my health? 

This section looks at studies concerning potential health effects in animal and human studies. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

Workers 

 Inhalation 

Breathing air with very high levels of cadmium can severely damage the 

lungs and may cause death. 

Breathing air with lower levels of cadmium over long periods of time (for 

years) results in a build-up of cadmium in the kidney, and if sufficiently high, 

may result in kidney disease. 

Laboratory 

animals 

 Inhalation 

Damage to the lungs and nasal cavity has been observed in animals 

exposed to cadmium. 

Humans 

 Oral 

Eating food or drinking water with very high cadmium levels severely 

irritates the stomach, leading to vomiting and diarrhea, and sometimes 

death. 

Eating lower levels of cadmium over a long period of time can lead to a 

build-up of cadmium in the kidneys. If the build-up of cadmium is high 

enough, it will damage the kidneys. 

Exposure to lower levels of cadmium for a long time can also cause bones 

to become fragile and break easily. 

Laboratory 

animals 

 Oral 

Kidney and bone effects have also been observed in laboratory animals 

ingesting cadmium. 

Anemia, liver disease, and nerve or brain damage have been observed in 

animals eating or drinking cadmium. We have no good information on 

people to indicate what cadmium levels people would need to eat or drink to 

result in these diseases, or if they would occur at all. 

Cancer Lung cancer has been found in some studies of workers exposed to 

cadmium in the air and studies of rats that breathed in cadmium. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has 

determined that cadmium and cadmium compounds are known human 

carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has 

determined that cadmium is carcinogenic to humans. The EPA has 

determined that cadmium is a probable human carcinogen. 

How can cadmium affect children? 

This section discusses potential health effects in humans from exposures during the period from 

conception to maturity at 18 years of age. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

Effects in children The health effects seen in children from exposure to toxic levels of 

cadmium are expected to be similar to the effects seen in adults (kidney 

and lung damage). 

Harmful effects on child development or behavior have not generally been 

seen in populations exposed to cadmium, but more research is needed. 

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. 

Cadmium is found in breast milk and a small amount will enter the infant’s 

body through breastfeeding. The amount of cadmium that can pass to the 

infant depends on how much exposure the mother may have had. 

Birth defects We do not know whether cadmium can cause birth defects in people. 

Studies in animals exposed to high enough levels of cadmium during 

pregnancy have resulted in harmful effects in the young. The nervous 

system appears to be the most sensitive target. Young animals exposed 

to cadmium before birth have shown effects on behavior and learning. 

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. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

How can families reduce the risk of exposure to cadmium? 

Do not smoke 

tobacco products 

Cadmium accumulates in tobacco leaves. The national geometric mean 

blood cadmium level for adults is 0.376 μg/L. Mean blood cadmium levels 

for heavy smokers have been reported as high as 1.58 μg/L. 

Good Occupational exposure can be controlled through personal protective 

occupational equipment, good industrial hygiene practices, and control and reduction of 

hygiene cadmium emissions. 

Children can be exposed to cadmium through parents who work in 

cadmium-emitting industries. Therefore, good hygiene practices such as 

bathing and changing clothes before returning home may help reduce the 

cadmium transported from the job to the home. 

Avoid cadmium Check and obey local fishing advisories before consuming fish or shellfish 

contaminated from local waterways. 

areas and food 

Avoid hazardous waste sites. 

Proper disposal of Dispose of nickel-cadmium batteries properly. Many states have laws in 

cadmium effect that ban the disposal of batteries as municipal waste. Recycle old 

containing batteries whenever possible. 

products 

Contact your local waste and recycling authority on how to properly 

dispose of paints and coatings. 

Handle properly Do not allow children to play with batteries. If mishandled, batteries could 

rupture. 

Children may also swallow small nickel-cadmium batteries. 

If your doctor finds that you have been exposed to significant amounts of cadmium, ask whether your 

children might also be exposed. Your doctor might need to ask your state health department to 

investigate. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

Is there a medical test to determine whether I have been exposed to cadmium? 

Detecting 

exposure 

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. 

Measuring 

exposure 

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. 

Cadmium levels in hair or nails are not as useful as an indication of when 

or how much cadmium you may have taken in, partly because cadmium 

from outside of your body may attach to the hair or nails. 

Tests are also available to measure the amount of cadmium inside your 

liver and kidneys. 

What recommendations has the federal government made to protect human 

health? 

The federal government develops regulations and recommendations to protect public health. Regulations 

can be enforced by law. The EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are some federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic 

substances. Recommendations provide valuable guidelines to protect public health, but cannot be 

enforced by law. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are two federal organizations that develop 

recommendations for toxic substances. 

Regulations and recommendations can be expressed as “not-to-exceed” levels. These are levels of a toxic 

substance in air, water, soil, or food that do not exceed a critical value. This critical value is usually based 

on levels that affect animals; they are then adjusted to levels that will help protect humans. Sometimes 

these not-to-exceed levels differ among federal organizations because they used different exposure times 

(an 8-hour workday or a 24-hour day), different animal studies, or other factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also updated periodically as more information becomes available. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

For the most current information, check with the federal agency or organization that provides it. Some 

regulations and recommendations for cadmium include the following: 

Drinking water The EPA has determined that exposure to cadmium in drinking water at a 

concentration of 0.04 mg/L 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 mg/L cadmium in 

drinking water is not expected to cause any adverse effects. 

Consumer 

products 

The FDA has determined that cadmium levels in bottled water should not 

exceed 0.005 mg/L. 

Workplace air OSHA set a legal limit of 5 μg/m3 cadmium in air averaged over an 8-hour 

work day. 

Where can I get more information? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department, or contact ATSDR at the address and phone number below. 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics 

specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses that result from exposure to hazardous 

substances. 

Toxicological profiles are also available on-line at www.atsdr.cdc.gov and on CD-ROM. You may 

request a copy of the ATSDR ToxProfilesTM CD-ROM by calling the toll-free information and 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Cadmium 

CAS # 7440-43-9 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences September 2012 

technical assistance number at 1-800-CDCINFO (1-800-232-4636), by e-mail at cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or by 

writing to: 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences 

 1600 Clifton Road NE 

 Mailstop F-57 

 Atlanta, GA 30333

 Fax: 1-770-488-4178 

Organizations for-profit may request copies of final Toxicological Profiles from the following: 

National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 

5285 Port Royal Road

 Springfield, VA 22161

 Phone: 1-800-553-6847 or 1-703-605-6000

 Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/ 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov