What is cadmium?
Cadmium is a soft metal found in the Earth’s crust. It is not usually found in the environment as a pure metal, instead it is found combined with other elements like oxygen, chlorine, or sulfur. All soil and rocks contain some amount of cadmium. Cadmium has many uses, including in batteries, pigments, metal coatings, and plastics.
Who is exposed to cadmium?
Cadmium can be found in air, water, food, and soil. Cadmium can enter a person’s body from eating or drinking food or water containing cadmium or breathing in air contaminated with cadmium. Low levels of cadmium can be found in all food, since plants pick up cadmium from the soil. Animals can absorb cadmium from eating plants and other animals and concentrate the cadmium in liver and kidney meats. Shellfish that are grown in areas where the water is contaminated with cadmium can have high levels of cadmium. Smoking cigarettes or breathing in cigarette smoke can increase cadmium exposure, since tobacco picks up cadmium from the soil as it grows.
Workplace exposures to cadmium typically occur in industrial settings where cadmium or its compounds are mined, processed, or used in manufacturing. This includes operations such as metal smelting, battery production, pigment and plastic manufacturing, and welding or brazing with cadmium-containing materials. Workers can be exposed through inhalation of cadmium dust or fumes, particularly in poorly ventilated areas, or through skin contact with contaminated surfaces.
How can cadmium affect my health?
People are normally only exposed to high levels of cadmium through occupational exposure. Short term affects of breathing or consuming high levels of cadmium include damaged lungs, stomach irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Health effects related to long-term exposure to cadmium include kidney disease, severe lung damage, and fragile bones.
People exposed to higher than usual levels of cadmium through their diet or smoking may have an increased risk of kidney disease and osteoporosis.
How likely is cadmium to cause cancer?
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that cadmium and cadmium compounds are known human carcinogens, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers it a probable human carcinogen. The likelihood of it causing cancer depends on exposure level, duration, and route of exposure. Cadmium has been linked with lung cancer in people who have occupational exposure to high levels of cadmium in air. It also causes lung cancer in rats exposed to air containing high levels of cadmium.
Is there a medical test to determine if I’ve been exposed to cadmium?
Urine, blood, hair, and nails can be tested to determine the amount of cadmium in the body. Testing for cadmium is not recommended for most people, but for people who work with cadmium it can help see if they are exposed to high levels at work.
How can I reduce my exposure to cadmium?
- Safely store substances that contain cadmium and keep out of reach of children. This includes paints containing cadmium and nickel-cadmium batteries. Some costume jewelry can contain cadmium, so do not let children put costume jewelry in their mouths.
- Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking. If you continue to smoke, avoid smoking in enclosed spaces including the home or car.
- Follow all safety precautions to avoid carrying cadmium-containing dust home from work on your clothing, skin, hair, or tools.
- Eat a balanced and varied diet.
Where can I get more information about cadmium?
ATSDR Cadmium ToxFAQs: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=47&toxid=15 last accessed July 2025