CA Prop 65

ManualsBrandsElegant Decor ManualsBathroomFirst Impressions 48-in White Single Sink Bathroom Vanity with White Porcelain Top

Cadmium

What is cadmium?

Cadmium is a bluish-white metal

commercially mined in Germany and

Asia. It occurs widely at low levels in the

environment, and may be recycled from

used nickel-cadmium batteries.

Cadmium appears on the Proposition

65 list of chemicals known to cause

cancer and reproductive harm.

How is cadmium used?

Rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries

power many products, from cameras

and cell phones to electric cars.

Cadmium-based pigments produce

paints in bright red, yellow and orange

shades. Cadmium also has many

industrial uses, among them metal

plating, solar cells, and tissue imaging.

How are most people exposed to

cadmium?

People who work with cadmium –

generally in manufacturing – have the

most chance of exposure to the metal. Those who paint with pigments that contain cadmium

also may be exposed.

Smoking represents the most common way in which the general public may be exposed to

cadmium, because tobacco plants very easily absorb the metal. In fact, studies have shown that

cadmium generally builds to higher levels in the body tissues of smokers.

There is a growing awareness of the potential for cadmium exposures from products such as

jewelry and glassware. For example, a 2010 Associated Press investigation detected high

amounts of cadmium in jewelry imported from China. Young children who put cadmium-

Fast Facts About Cadmium…

Cancer

1987: Placed on the original

Proposition 65 list by a state panel

of scientific experts. Cadmium and

cadmium compounds can cause

lung cancer in humans and may

cause prostate and kidney cancer.

Reproductive /

Developmental

Effects

1997: A state panel of scientific

experts found that cadmium

affects birth weight and can build

up in male reproductive tissues.

Other known

health effects

identified by

OEHHA

scientists

Studies of workers show evidence

that cadmium:

o Causes proteinuria, a sign

of chronic kidney disease.

o Affects lung capacity

o Damages the sense of

smell

What is Proposition 65? OEHHA has provided

some helpful information that explains how

chemicals and substances end up on the list and

how listing affects consumers and companies.

• Follow this link for a “plain language”

overview of Proposition 65

• Follow this link to read “Frequently Asked

Questions” about Proposition 65.

Summary of content (2 pages)

PAGE 1
Cadmium What is cadmium? Cadmium is a bluish-white metal commercially mined in Germany and Asia. It occurs widely at low levels in the environment, and may be recycled from used nickel-cadmium batteries. Cadmium appears on the Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer and reproductive harm. How is cadmium used? Rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries power many products, from cameras and cell phones to electric cars. Cadmium-based pigments produce paints in bright red, yellow and orange shades.
PAGE 2
containing jewelry in their mouths also may be significantly exposed to cadmium. The federal government also has begun investigating the cadmium content of drinking glasses. Cadmium also may be present in decorative paints used to make some glassware, pottery, and similar crafts. Small amounts of cadmium are sometimes detected in water and in food.