Cadmium: a trace element of concern in mining and manufacturing
The trace element cadmium is reviewed in terms of natural and industrial sources, airborne levels throughout the United States, the metal's presence in waters, plant uptake, cadmium levels in shellfish, and adverse human effects. Cadmium is found naturally in combination with zinc ore. Industrial sources of the metal include: brass and bronze products manufacturing, electroplating, chemical processing operations, the zinc industry, battery manufacturing, and coal and oil burning operations. Pesticides are also a source of cadmium as are automobile exhaust gases and emissions from tire wear. A total of 2300 tons of cadmium are estimated to have been lost to the air in the United States during 1968, with levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.37 micrograms/cu m in 17 of 58 cities surveyed. Covington, Kentucky, a manufacturing center for brass and bronze products, shows the highest yearly mean concentration (0.05 micrograms/cu m). Cadmium concentration in growing plants is a function of concentration in the soil. Levels of 10 ppM in the soil appear capable of causing drastic reductions in the yield of wheat and rice. Shellfish contain the highest food concentrations of cadmium (as high as 3.66 ppM for oysters). The chief health problems associated with cadmium include: hypertension, emphysema, and chronic pulmonary disorders. Others include: renal tubular disorders, anemia, liver damage, and testicular destruction. The metal is also linked with malignant tumors in rats, though there is no conclusive evidence for linking with metal with human cancer. Osteomalacia and emphysema are observed in industrial workers exposed to cadmium.
- OSTI ID:
- 6894652
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 36:4; ISSN JEVHA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALLOYS
AUTOMOBILES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BRASS
BRONZE
CADMIUM
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CEREALS
COAL
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
COPPER ALLOYS
COPPER BASE ALLOYS
DEPOSITION
DISEASES
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROPLATING
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EXHAUST GASES
FABRICATION
FISH PRODUCTS
FOOD
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
KENTUCKY
LYSIS
METALS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
ORES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLANTS
PLATING
PRODUCTIVITY
SEAFOOD
SOILS
SOUTHEAST REGION
SURFACE COATING
TIN ALLOYS
TIRES
TRACE AMOUNTS
USA
VEHICLES
WASTES
WATER
ZINC ALLOYS
ZINC ORES