Cadmium: Production, Properties, Applications and Effect

Cadmium is an element listed in the periodic table with an atomic number of 48. It is poisonous bluish white metal which is highly malleable in nature and is mostly used in batteries. It was discovered by Friedrich Stromeyer in 1817 as an impurity in zinc oxide and the cadmium is mainly found in zinc ores and in cadmium mineral greenockite but in small quantities. Cadmium is a toxic element for life forms and is carcinogenic if inhaled.

Key Terms: Cadmium, Production, Properties, Effects, Toxicity, Hazards, Mineral, Metal, Element

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What is Cadmium?

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Cadmium was discovered by Friedrich Stromeyer in 1817 as an impurity in zinc oxide. This metal is soft and readily malleable. It’s found in the earth’s crust generally combined with oxygen, chlorine and sulphur and it enters into environment due to win, rain, and mining. Most soil, coal etc. contain some amounts of cadmium within them.

Periodic table profile of cadmium is as follows:

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Production of Cadmium

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Cadmium is primarily produced as a by-product of zinc production done through smelting, mining, and refining. It can also be obtained as aby-product of lead and copper production but in very small quantities.

Recycling accounts for about 18% of cadmium production. Direct cadmium production is popular in Asia while it’s on decline in Europe.

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Properties of Cadmium

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Following are the physical as well as chemical properties of Cadmium:

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Applications of Cadmium

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Cadmium has varied uses and some of them are:

• Cadmium is used in power stations, metal working industries and heating systems etc.
• Cadmium has applications in urban traffic
• The most large-scale use of Cadmium is seen in nickel-cadmium Batteries.
• Cadmium is used in alloys, jewellery, ceramic and enamels
• Cadmium is present in gadgets like phone, computers, televisions, and cordless devices etc.
• Cadmium is used in making of solder as its useful in electroplating.
• Cadmium is used in the manufacture of cost-effective solar cells along with other metals like Tellurium
• Cadmium has high neutron absorption, so its rods are used in nuclear reactors.
• Cadmium is also used in production of iron, cement, and steel.

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Harmful Effects of Cadmium

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Cadmium is a toxic element and can result in harm to both environment and human beings. It’s realised in atmosphere through forest fires, volcanoes, burning of fossil fuels, use of phosphate fertilizers and industrial processes etc.

Harmful effect on Human Beings are as follows:

• Cadmium, once absorbed in the body of a person, will remain there throughout their life.
• Cadmium and its compounds are known to be Human Carcinogens.
• Cadmium is especially harmful to kidneys as it accumulates there first.
• Cadmium, with excessive and chronic exposure, can cause severe damage to lungs.
• Prolonged exposure to industrial emissions of cadmium can lead to skeletal and respiratory problems.
• Sudden inhalation of Cadmium in large quantity can cause fever, headache, and myalgia etc.
• Pregnant women if exposed to Cadmium will have the risk bearing a low weight child at birth.

Harmful effects on Plants are as follows:

• Cadmium will hinder the assimilation of important minerals in plants like calcium, magnesium, and water etc.
• It slows down the growth of plant making them stunted.
• It can modify the stomata openings and photosynthetic capacity in plants leading to plant tissue death.
• The continues emission of cadmium affects the process of transpiration in plants.
• Due to the chemical properties of cadmium a plant experiences leaf rolls and restrictions.
• Cadmium slows nitrate absorption in plants through nitrate reductase activity.
• Cadmium hampers the enzymatic activities of plants.

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Ways to combat Cadmium Toxicity

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There is no specific treatment available for cadmium poisoning, its treated only with supportive therapy. So, it’s important to protect oneself from exposure to cadmium. Some of these preventive measures are:

• Use eco-friendly alternatives or cadmium neutralising treatment on artificial processes like industrial emissions that release cadmium into the environment.
• Use protective gear while working with cadmium and everyone exposed to similar situation must be aware about this.
• Smoke from cigarette contains high levels of cadmium, so people should stop smoking.
• Blood and urine tests measure the amounts of cadmium. Since cadmium is an air pollutant, it’s better to get your cadmium levels through a regular visit to doctor.

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Things to Remember

Following are some important points:

• Cadmium is a transition metal from d block of periodic table with an atomic number of 48. Its bluish white in colour and is solid at room temperature.
• Cadmium is primarily produced as a by-production of mining, smelting, and refining of zinc ores.
• Cadmium has application in many industries like nickel-cadmium battery, iron, steel and cement manufacture, solder making, production of cost-effective solar cells etc.
• Cadmium is harmful to both humans and plants if they are exposed to it. Long term exposure can cause tissue death in plants and cancer in human beings. All of this makes cadmium a dangerous air pollutant.

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