Week 4 - Cadmium

Cadmium - Cd has an atomic mass of 48 and is in the transition metal group in the periodic table of elements. In searching form information on cadmium as a catalyst, everything I found included silver and copper. I think cadmium is a catalyst but maybe only when in the presence of other transitional metals?

I decided to write about cadmium anyway due to the overwhelming relevance to our topics in yesterdays class. 

Cadmium is a toxic element known to cause cancer and death. It is most often found in batteries, paint, and plastics. Cadmium poisoning is considered an "occupational hazard" for workers in industrial plants. The government has placed regulations on cadmium leeks from chemical plants. Regardless, soil, plants and animals living near these plants have extremely high levels of cadmium. The fumes when inhaled cause cancer, pulminary edema and death. Cadmium is also found in cigarettes, causing smokers to have "4-5 times higher blood cadmium concentration". (wikipedia) 

Cadmium in plastics:

This has become an increasingly alarming issue for mother's and their babies. Cadmium is used to stabilize PVC, vinyl and other plastic products. It is also used in coatings and paint. This includes toys, games, packaging for foods and medicines, plastic bags, reusable containers and many other household use plastic products. Only nineteen states limit the use of cadmium in some plastics. "Currently there are no restrictions on the amount of cadmium used in children's products in the US. "*  Cadmium can be absorbed through the skin, ingested or inhaled. It is often found in trace amounts in public water supply, along with many other toxic heavy metals. In small amounts cadmium causes delayed sensory-motor development, hormonal effects and other symptoms often seen in Autism and Asperger's syndrome. There is increasing discussion that many developmental disorders, such as Autism and Asperger's are caused from heavy metal poisoning. 

What are we doing to prevent heavy metal poisoning? The Toxic Substances Control Act, enacted in 1976, grandfathered in all "existing chemicals". The act "prohibits the manufacture or importation of chemicals not on the TSCA inventory" (wiki) The inventory list does not separate the chemicals into toxic and non-toxic. All "new chemicals" must submit a review request to be put on the inventory list. The act also states "there is no legal requirement to test most chemicals for health effects at any stage of production, marketing or after market distribution."

*www.watoxics.org