Cadmium

• Background
• Cadmium Monitoring and Research in Wisconsin
• Cleanup and Management of Cadmium in Wisconsin
• Options to Reduce Cadmium
• National, International, and Other Cadmium Initiatives

Background

Uses: Cadmium is used in a variety of consumer and industrial materials including electronics, batteries, pigments, plastic stabilizers, and metal coatings and alloys.

Health Effects: Wisconsin Department of Health provides a good summary of the child and human health concerns about Cadmium (exit DNR). Acute exposure to cadmium can result in acute chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema. Long-term effects of low-level exposure include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema in addition to chronic renal tubular disease. Cadmium may also cause hypertension and other cardiovascular effects as well as adverse effects on the skeletal system (Klaassen 1996). The IARC classifies cadmium as being carcinogenic to humans (IARC 1993).

Ecological Effects: Birds and mammals are relatively resistant to the acute effects of cadmium. However, chronic cadmium exposure can result in histological changes in kidney, liver, GI tract, testes, heart tissue, blood vessels and bone marrow. Chronic exposure can also lead to increased mortality, decreased growth and inhibited reproduction. In aquatic organisms, cadmium exposure can result in decreased growth, inhibited reproduction, immobilization and population alterations (Eisler 1985).

Trade Names: None

EPA Substance Registry Information: Cadmium (CAS 7440-43-9), The registry lists over 157 additional Cadmium containing substances.

Cadmium Monitoring and Research in Wisconsin

Source Monitoring and Reporting

• TRI data for Wisconsin facilities reporting releases can be retrieved at EPA’s TRI Explorer, US EPA, (exit DNR)

Laboratory Certification

• The Department of Natural Resources certifies and registers laboratories to perform Cadmium tests for soil, water and waste testing for many of the agency's environmental programs.

Cleanup and Management of Cadmium in Wisconsin

Air Management

• Cadmium and cadmium components are considered a hazardous air pollutant (NR 445) that is regulated under Wisconsin’s Air Management Program.

Groundwater and Drinking Water Management

• There are groundwater standards for Cadmium in NR 140 and Safe Drinking Water law, NR 809 Wisc. Adm. Code (Summary Table)
• DNR’ Public Drinking Water Supply Data base has some limited information about Cadmium levels found in public water supplies (Search for Cadmium).

Remediation and Redevelopment

• The DNR’s RR program assists Responsible Parties with site investigation and clean up of any "hazardous substance" releases in Wisconsin. This would include releases of cadmium contaminated soil or groundwater. RR program guidance on investigations and clean ups can be found at the RR program web site.

Surface Water and Watershed Management

• Wisconsin has water quality standards for Cadmium (NR 105 ) and guidelines for setting associated effluent limits (NR 106).

Waste Management

• Cadmium contaminated wastes are solid wastes and may be hazardous waste. Waste Management program guidance on can be found at the Waste Management program.

Options to Reduce Cadmium

Check for options to reduce Cadmium on Wisconsin’s Pollution Prevention Partnership (exit DNR).

National, International and other Initiatives

• IRIS Toxicological Review and Summary Documents for Cadmium (exit DNR) (US EPA, Environmental Center for Assessment).
• The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy, US EPA, (exit DNR) includes Cadmium as a Type 2 priority chemical.
• EPA’s Waste Minimization Priority Chemical Program, US EPA, (exit DNR) includes Cadmium as a priority chemical.