Cadmium

To extinguish a fire involving this chemical you may use a dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam or halon extinguisher; a water spray may also be used. (NTP, 1992)

Use dry sand. Use special powder. NO other agents.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rest. Refer for medical attention .

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

(General first aid procedures)

Reacts readily with dilute nitric acid; reacts slowly with hot hydrochloric acid; does not react with alkalies

When nitryl fluoride is passed ... over ... cadmium ... /with mild warming/, glowing white incandescence occurs.

Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) [ACGIH] - Cd in urine = 5 ug/g creatinine; Cd in blood = 5 ug/L; sampling time not critical; Blood monitoring should be preferred during the initial year of exposure and whenever changes in the degree of exposure are suspected. [ACGIH]

Keep containers closed and protect against physical damage.

PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": Storage site should be as close as practicable to lab in which carcinogens are to be used, so that only small quantities required for ... expt need to be carried. Carcinogens should be kept in only one section of cupboard, an explosion-proof refrigerator or freezer (depending on chemicophysical properties ...) that bears appropriate label. An inventory ... should be kept, showing quantity of carcinogen & date it was acquired ... Facilities for dispensing ... should be contiguous to storage area. /Chemical Carcinogens/

STORAGE: MATERIALS WHICH ARE TOXIC AS STORED OR ... DECOMP INTO TOXIC COMPONENTS DUE TO CONTACT WITH HEAT, MOISTURE, ACIDS, OR ACID FUMES, SHOULD BE STORED IN COOL, WELL-VENTILATED PLACE, OUT OF ... RAYS OF SUN, AWAY FROM AREAS OF ... FIRE HAZARD ... /CADMIUM CMPD/

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a strong soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

Recycling: Sort, classify and put in a box properly labeled. Salvage profitably for reuse by local shop or sell as a scrap metal. Recommendable method: /SRP: Hazardous Waste/ Landfill. Not recommendable method: Thermal destruction.

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D006, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste. /Cadmium/

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": There is no universal method of disposal that has been proved satisfactory for all carcinogenic compounds & specific methods of chem destruction ... published have not been tested on all kinds of carcinogen-containing waste. ... summary of avail methods & recommendations ... /given/ must be treated as guide only. /Chemical Carcinogens/

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for CADMIUM, ELEMENTAL (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Evacuate danger area! Personal protection: chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Remove all ignition sources. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

Respiratory

[prostatic & lung cancer]

Cancer, Gastrointestinal (Digestive), Musculoskeletal (Muscles and Skeleton), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

Urinary

respiratory system, kidneys, prostate, blood

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.

inhalation, ingestion

Cough. Sore throat.

Redness. Pain.

Abdominal pain. Diarrhoea. Headache. Nausea. Vomiting.

pulmonary edema, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), cough, chest tightness, substernal (occurring beneath the sternum) pain; headache; chills, muscle aches; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; anosmia (loss of the sense of smell), emphysema, proteinuria, mild anemia; [potential occupational carcinogen]

Cadmium

Respiratory

Urinary

5 x 10 ^-4 mg/kg-day

Initial medical examination: a complete history and physical examination detect pre-existing conditions that might place the exposed employee at increased risk, and to establish a baseline for future health monitoring. Examination of the respiratory system, liver, kidneys, prostate, and blood should be stressed. Since kidney damage has been observed in humans exposed to cadmium, a urinalysis should be obtained to include, at minimum: specific gravity, albumin, glucose, and a microscopic /examination of the/ centrifuged sediment. In addition, the urine should be examined for low molecular weight proteins by use of 3% sulfosalicylic acid or other acceptable techniques. A 14 x 17 in roentgenogram should be obtained as cadmium causes human lung damage. Surveillance of the lungs is recommended. A profile of liver function should be obtained by utilizing a medically acceptable array of biochemical tests.Since cadmium may cause liver damage. FVC and FEV (1 sec): cadmium is reported to cause decreased pulmonary function. Therefore periodic surveillance is recommended. Medical examinations should be repeated annually, except that X-ray is considered necessary only when indicated by pulmonary function tests or by symptoms of respiratory disease. Urine protein measurements should be available every four months. /Cadmium dust (as cadmium)/

Environmental monitoring records shall be maintained for at least 20 years. These records shall include methods of sampling and analysis used, types of respiratory protection used, and TWA and ceiling concentrations found. Each employee shall have made available to them information on their own environmental exposures. Environmental records shall be available to designated representatives of the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of /Health and Human Services/. Pertinent medical records shall be retained for 20 years after the last occupational exposure to cadmium. Records of environmental exposures applicable to the employee should be included in that employee's medical records. These medical records shall be made available to the designated medical representatives of the Secretary of Labor & of /Health and Human Services/, of the employer, and of the employee or former employee. /Cadmium cmpd/

The assessment of cadmium exposure can be accomplished through measurement of cadmium. Studies assessing correlation of blood levels with occupational exposure found that blood levels correlate with recent exposures, and not well with chronic exposure or assessment of total body burden. Whole Blood Reference ranges: Normal - non-occupational exposure levels range from 0.4 to 1.0 ug/L for nonsmokers and up to 4.5 ug/L for smokers; Exposed - BEI (sampling time is not critical): 5 ug/L; Toxic - levels greater than 10 ug/L have been associated with worker toxicity such as renal dysfunction. Serum or Plasma Reference Ranges: Normal - 0.5 to 2 ug/L; Exposed - not established; Toxic - not established. Urine Reference ranges: Normal - non-occupational exposure levels range from 0.02 to 4.5 ug/L; Exposed - BEI (sampling time is not critical): 5 ug/g creatinine; Toxic - Several studies have indicated that urinary levels greater than 10 ug/g creatinine or 10 ug/L in workers have been associated with an increased incidence of renal dysfunction. /Cadmium/

Respiratory Symptom Questionnaires: Questionnaires have been published by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the British Medical Research Council. These questionnaires have been found to be useful in identification of people with chronic bronchitis. However certain pulmonary function tests such as FEV1 (see pulmonary function test section) have been found to be better predictors of chronic airflow obstruction. /Cadmium/

For more Medical Surveillance (Complete) data for CADMIUM, ELEMENTAL (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

The acute inhalation toxicity of cadmium (CAS # 7440-43-9) was evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats (25/sex/group) administered single 125-minute exposures to cadmium metal fumes at target concentrations of 0 or 100 mg/cu m (mean analytical concentration based on GCA and 88% cadmium/sample, 112 mg/cu m cadmium; as measured from filter paper-recovered sample, 72.4 mg/cu m). Two additional rats were treated for retention through Day 30 as potential surrogates for any unanticipated experimental losses. In addition, groups of 5 each male and female rats were necropsied immediately after the exposures, and at 24 and 72 hours, and 7 days post-exposure to provide select tissues to be analyzed for cadmium content in pharmacokinetic study. Cadmium acetate, dihydrate (10% aqueous solution), vaporized by Laskin nebulizer to an aerosol, was dehumidified and heated to a fume, and then supplied to and diluted in the air of a 760 L glass and stainless steel environmental chamber. All rats were hypoactive but survived the exposures. Subsequently, treated rats showed labored and rapid breathing, excessive dry rales, continuous weight loss, and poor general condition. Of the rats remaining after 24-hour post-exposure necropsy, 25/32 died from Day 2 to Day 6 during observation. Lung and liver discoloration and congestion appeared at Day 2 or later in sequential gross pathology examinations of both the interim sacrifices and decedents, and all rats were gone to either interim sacrifice or spontaneous death by Day 8 of intended 30-day study. The authors reported an acute inhalation LC50 less than 72.4 mg/cu m in rats.

The acute inhalation toxicity and pharmacokinetics of cadmium (CAS # 7440-43-9) was evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats (25/sex/group) administered single 125-minute exposures to cadmium metal fumes at target concentrations of 0 or 100 mg/cu m (mean analytical concentration based on GCA and 88% cadmium/sample, 112 mg/cu m cadmium; as measured from filter paper-recovered sample, 72.4 mg/cu m). Two additional rats were treated for retention through Day 30 as potential surrogates for any unanticipated experimental losses. Cadmium acetate, dihydrate (10% aqueous solution), vaporized by Laskin nebulizer to an aerosol, was dehumidified and heated to a fume, and then supplied to and diluted in air of the 760 L glass and stainless steel environmental chamber. Immediately following the exposure and at 24, 48 and 72 hours, and 7 days post-exposure, 5 each male and female treated rats were isolated for collection of urine and feces samples. Another group of 5 each male and female rats, necropsied immediately after the exposures, and at 24 and 72 hours, and 7 days post-exposure, provided select tissues (lung, liver, kidneys, testes, prostate, G.I. wash, heparinized whole blood) to be analyzed for cadmium content. Of the rats remaining after 24-hour post-exposure necropsy, 25/32 died from Day 2 to Day 6 during observation. Lung and liver discoloration and congestion appeared at Day 2 or later in sequential gross pathology examinations of both the interim sacrifices and decedents, and all rats were gone to either interim sacrifice or spontaneous death by Day 8 of intended 30-day study. Cadmium was found to be largely eliminated in the feces, the greatest average levels (658 and 68 ug for male and female rats, respectively) recovered between 24 and 72 hours post-exposure. Very small amounts (1.97 and 1.17 ug for male and female rats, respectively) appeared in the urine of treated rats during the same time intervals. A specific tissue affinity was also suggested by the greater relative concentrations and periods of residence in lungs, liver, and kidneys of the tissues tested. By the final determinations, the average levels (ug Cd/g tissue for both male and female rats) of cadmium in the lungs (7 ug/g) and liver (2.28 ug/g) were static and those in the kidneys (2.87 ug/g) still increasing at levels significantly higher than those in the control group (0.06 ug/g, 0.0145 ug/g, 0.08 ug/g for lungs, liver, and kidneys, respectively). On comparison, the rate of elimination of cadmium in these tissues was much slower than that associated with exposure to either Cadmium Red Pigment or Cadmium Yellow Pigment.

Cadmium is a widely but sparsely distributed element found in the earth's crust at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 ppm, primarily as sulfide minerals in association with zinc ores, zinc-bearing lead ores, and complex copper-lead-zinc ores(1,2). Greenocktite (CdS) is found associated with zinc ore, sphalerite (ZnS); zinc carbonate contains otavite (CdCO3) in small amounts. Cadmium abundance in seawater is estimated as 0.11 ug/L(2).

/EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES/ Renal tubular dysfunction was assessed in 102 individuals (36% women, 64% men) with greater than 5 years employment in cadmium battery production in an alkaline battery factory. A control group consisted of 53 individuals not involved in cadmium battery production, and another 32 individuals working in a cotton factory. Blood cadmium (Cd-B), urine cadmium (Cd-U), retinol binding protein (RBP), B2-microglobulin (B2-M), and aminoaciduria were determined before the work shift. Wilcoxin's rank sum test was used to assess differences between the control and study groups. Cd-B and Cd-U were higher for subjects working in Cd battery production (Cd-B= 7.5 to 49 ug/l; Cd-U= 5.5 to 36 ug/l) than for those employed at the cotton factory or in work not related to Cd battery production at the alkaline battery factory (Cd-B= 4.8 ug/L; Cd-U= 1.0 ug/L). Urinary excretion of B2-M and RBP was significantly elevated depending on specific work location in the factory) in 20% of workers involved with Cd battery production. A high correlation coefficient (r= 0.85) was obtained for Cd-B and Cd-U values, possibly because Cd-U becomes an indicator of current Cd exposure when Cd exposure is great. Correlation between Cd-U and excretion of B2-M and RBP (r= 0.52 and 0.55, respectively) was also greater than previous reports and possibly indicative of high Cd exposure levels.

/EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES/ In a retrospective study, 311 male workers in an alkaline battery factory were evaluated for cadmium exposure. Workers were exposed to > 50 ug/cu m for 1 - 35 years. Hypertension (defined by average blood pressure > 160/95 over a 5 year period) was noted in 23% of workers over 40. The duration of employment correlated with the degree of hypertension among age-matched groups of workers when compared to normotensives. In this study laborers were exposed to levels that exceed 50 ug cadmium/cu m, while today's workers are exposed to air levels averaging 10 ug cadmium/cu m.

/EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES/ Two hundred forty male and female workers in a battery factory along with 87 unexposed male controls were studied to determine the excretion of beta(2)-microglobulin. The exposed workers were employed in the department where materials for battery electrodes were made (material plant) or where the electrodes and batteries were assembled (assembly plant). ... Diagnosis of proteinuria was made in those whose microglobulin excretion was greater than the upper 95% confidence limit of the normal concentration in the urine; ... this was not considered necessarily to be a clinically significant proteinuria. There was an increased incidence of microglobulinuria in the exposed group. In the unexposed controls, 3.4% had microglobulinuria. In the assembly plant, women had a 2.3% incidence of this type of proteinuria and men had a 25% incidence. The men who worked in the material plant had a 52% incidence of microglobulinuria. These incidences in male workers were significantly different from control incidences at (p< 0.001); differences in incidences between female workers and controls were not significant. The 2.3% incidence among working women represents one case of microglobulinuria among 41 women. Yet 15 of the women had been exposed for more than 5 years. The lower rate of microglobulinuria among women might in part reflect a lower smoking rate; of the 13 women whose smoking habits were known, 5 were smokers. Nonsmoking cadmium exposed workers had a lower prevalence of the defined proteinuria than smoking cadmium exposed workers. Nine of the workers were separately treated in the study because they were from Yugoslavia, where tubular proteinuria is endemic (Balkan nephropathy); two of them were found to excrete increased amounts of microglobulin. In the 185 employees that worked continuously with cadmium, the prevalence of microglobulinuria increased with exposure time.

Liberation during smelting and refining of ores where it is a by-product of zinc, lead and copper bearing ores. Liberation during recovery of metal by processing scrap; during melting and pouring of cadmium metal; during casting of alloys for cadmium-copper, cadmium-lead, cadmium-bismuth, cadmium-silver, cadmium-nickel, cadmium-lead-silver, cadmium-lead-silver-nickel, cadmium-lead-bismuth-tin, and cadmium-gold products used for coating telephone cables, trolley wires, welding, electrodes, automatic sprinkling systems, steam boilers, fire alarms, high pressure/temperature bearings, starting switches, aircraft relays, light duty circuit breakers, low temperature solder, and jewelry. Liberation during fabrication of metal, alloys, or plated steel. Liberation during casting and use of solders; during melting of cadmium ingots for paint and pigment manufacture used for coloring of plastics and ceramic glazes, electroplating, and in chemical synthesis. Liberation during coating of metals by hot dipping or spraying. Liberation during manufacture of nickel-cadmium batteries for use in radio portable telephones, convenience appliances, and vented cells used in airplanes, helicopters, and stand-by power and lighting(1).

Of the two basic methods of zinc production, thermal smelting and electrolytic refining, only the former releases significant emissions of cadmium(1). Cadmium emissions at a lead smelter is expected to be elemental cadmium and the oxide(2).

D006; A solid waste containing cadmium may or may not become characterized as a hazardous waste when subjected to the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure listed in 40 CFR 261.24, and if so characterized, must be managed as a hazardous waste. /Cadmium/

Listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) generally known or suspected to cause serious health problems. The Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990, directs EPA to set standards requiring major sources to sharply reduce routine emissions of toxic pollutants. EPA is required to establish and phase in specific performance based standards for all air emission sources that emit one or more of the listed pollutants. Cadmium is included on this list.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 10 lb or 4.54 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b). No reporting of releases of this hazardous substance is required if the diameter of the pieces of the solid metal released is larger than 100 micrometers (0.004 inches).

(AZ) ARIZONA 5 ug/L /Cadmium/

(ME) MAINE 3.5 ug/L /Cadmium/

(MN) MINNESOTA 4 ug/L /Cadmium/