Cadmium Cadmium is an extremely toxic metal commonly found in industrial workplaces, particularly where any ore is being processed or smelted. Several deaths from acute exposure have occurred among welders who have unsuspectingly welded on cadmium-containing alloys or worked with silver solders. Cadmium is also present in the manufacture of some types of batteries. Cadmium emits a characteristic brown fume (CdO) upon heating, which is relatively non-irritating, and thus does not alarm the exposed individual. Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Additional Sources of Cadmium are: Burning of fossil fuels, tires, cigarettes smoke, plants making batteries, coatings, plastics, cadmium yellow paint, foods, commercial fertilizer sludge, shellfish. Additional Effects of Cadmium on Humans are: Stores in kidney and liver, Hypertension, COPD, emphysema, chronic renal tubular disease, osteomalacia and osteoporosis, Itai-Itai disease (syndrome of severe bone deformities and chronic renal disease), Lung and possible prostate cancer