Cadmium

Everybody's heard about lead pollution, but perhaps a lesser known and possibly greater threat you hardly hear about is Cadmium.

The most serious source of cadmium poisoning is the smoking of tobacco. The most serious consequence of chronic cadmium poisoning is cancer (lung and prostate). Tobacco leaves contain cadmium. A tobacco addict smoking 20 cigarettes daily absorbs 2-4 micrograms of cadmium each day and accumulates 0.5 mg of cadmium in a year. This may not sound a great deal but then a little cadmium goes a long way! Cadmium is absorbed quickly by the lungs.

Smoking doubles the average daily intake of Cadmium.

Most plastic packaging depends on cadmium for its 'plastic' quality. And a certain amount of this cadmium leaches out of the wrapping into our food. The problem is that even a tiny amount of cadmium is dangerous. Cadmium is one of the key factors in the development of Osteoporosis. It is known to cause kidney and liver damage. Cadmium has a major effect on the testicles and ovaries and can be a major cause of infertility. Cadmium also hinders the body's ability to absorb essential minerals. Some recent research indicates that cadmium may be a major contributing factor to the development of breast cancer.

Cadmium is used in electroplating, industrial paints, plastics, and battery factories. Coal and mineral fertilisers also contain Cadmium.  And if you have a cellular 'mobile' telephone, the chances are that it has a nickel-cadmium battery.

In the United States alone, 3,000 tonnes of Cadmium and cadmium compounds are released into the air, water, and landfills every year.

When coal is burned to generate electricity, Cadmium is released into the air.  Once in the air, Cadmium particles can travel long distances before falling to the ground and being washed by rainwater into public water supplies.  Amazingly, Cadmium can also be released into drinking water from corrosion in some galvanised pipes in the home and from underground water mains bringing water into the home.

The most extreme exposure comes from smoking or from working in smelting, welding, or shipbuilding industries.

Sources and their effects are listed below.

Sources:Effects:
Airborne industrial contaminants, batteries, confectionery, ceramics, cigarette smoke, cola drinks, congenital intoxication, copper refineries, copper allows, dental alloys, drinking water, electroplating, fertilisers, food from contaminated soil, fungicides, incineration of tyres/rubber/plastic, instant coffee, corrugated iron roofs, animal kidney/liver/offal, marijuana, processed meat, evaporated milk, motor oil, oysters, paint, pesticides, galvanised pipes, processed foods, refined grains/flours/cereals, rubber, rubber carpet backing, seafoods (cod, haddock, oyster, tuna), sewage, silver polish, smelters, soft water, solders (including food cans), tobacco, vending machine soft drinks, tools, vapour lamps, water (city, softened, well), welding metal. Alcoholism, alopoecia, anaemia, arthritis (osteo & rheumatoid), bone disease, bone pain in middle of bones, cancer, cardiovascular disease, dental cavities, cerebral haemorrhage, cirrhosis, diabetes, digestive disturbances, emphysema, enlarged heart, flu-like symptoms, growth impairment, headaches, high cholesterol, hyperkinetic behaviour, hypertension, hypoglycaemia, impotence, inflammation, infertility, kidney disease, learning disorders, liver damage, lung disease, migraines, nerve cell damage, osteoporosis, prostate dysfunction, reproductive disorders, schizophrenia, stroke, testicular cancer.

The Humifulvate® chelate in Humet®-R has a natural ionic affinity to cadmium and other toxic heavy metals. The chelate surrounds the metal and removes it. For more information, see elsewhere in this Science Section.

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