Cadmium has no known biological function, and is highly toxic to both animals and plants. For humans, eating food or drinking water with very high cadmium levels can severely irritate the stomach, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Eating lower levels of cadmium over a long period of time can lead to kidney and liver damage, weakening of bone and sense of smell. Cadmium and cadmium compounds are likely carcinogens. The disposal of wastes containing cadmium is regulated by the Basel Convention.
Carbon dioxide is a colorless gas having a faint odor and a sour taste.
It is naturally produced by animals during respiration, and used by plants during photosynthesis. The combustion of fossil fuels is increasing carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere and is believed to be contributing to global warming. As a result, global emissions of carbon dioxide will be regulated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Pure carbon disulfide is a colorless liquid with a pleasant and sweet odor, similar to chloroform. However, the crude industrial product is a yellowish liquid with a disagreeable odor of decaying radishes.