Cadmium Contamination and its Harmful Effects

Cadmium Contamination and its Harmful Effects

Author Name : Dr. Gargee Yadav

ABSTRACT

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal found as an environmental contaminant, both through natural occurrence and from industrial and agricultural sources. It is formed as a result of metallurgical operation of zinc,lead and copper

 It is mainly used for the production of nickel- cadmium batteries and as corrosion-protection coating for iron and steel. It is present in pigments, stabilizers and alloys.

Once it is in the environment it can remain present for a long time. Being a simple chemical element, cadmium is persistent – it cannot be broken down into less toxic substances in the environment. It can be transported from one location to another, in particle forms that are either blown by the wind of washed away by water. . Exposure to cadmium is related to various types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, nasopharynx, pancreas, and kidney cancers. The liver and kidneys are extremely sensitive to cadmium’s toxic effects.

As awareness of the adverse impacts of cadmium has increased, many uses have been reduced significantly in industrialized countries, and waste management systems have been put in place to limit the release of cadmium into the environment.

Keywords: Heavy metal, toxic effects, Cadmium exposure. Awareness