Toxic Metal-Cadmium

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Cadmium 
Symbol: Cd
Atomic #: 48
Properties: Soft, bluish-white malleable metal, similar to Zinc and Mercury. Found in Zinc ores(In the Cadmium mineral Greenokite).
Electron Configuration: Kr4d105S2
Melting point: 610 Fahrenheit
Usage: Solar Cells, Rechargeable batteries, pigments, coating/plating, plastic stabilizer and alloys

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Cadmium produced today is obtained from Zinc by products and recovered from spent Nickel-Cadmium batteries.

History:
Cadmium was discovered in Germany in 1817, used as a pigment because of its ability to produce brilliant yellow, orange and red colors. Because an important metal in the production of Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd), rechargeable batteries and as a sacrificial corrosion protection coating for iron and steel. Cadmium is also in Nuclear reactors where it acts as a neutron absorber. New market opportunities for Cadmium involve industrial applications of Ni-Cd batteries will continue to fuel Cadmium use. China, South Korea and Japan are the leading producer of Cadmium in the World followed by North America. 

Toxicity: 
Cadmium is highly toxic, known to cause cancer-especially Cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive and respiratory system. OSHA estimated that 300,000 workers are exposed to Cadmium in the U.S. Cadmium affects workers in manufacturing, construction, recycling of electronic parts. Workers are exposed during smelting and refining of metals, manufacturing batteries, plastics and coating and solar panels. 
Waste collectors are potentially exposed to dust that may contain Cd-The incineration of municipal waste is also a source of Cd. 

Health/environmental Concerns: 
Airborne Cadmium is from burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Cadmium can also be found in food, the application of Phosphate fertilizers or sewage sludge to farm fields. Smokers have about twice as much Cadmium in their bodies as do nonsmokers. 

Chronic inhalation or oral exposure of Cadmium can cause kidney diseases such as Proteinuna, a decrease in glomerular rate, frequency of Kidney stone. Cadmium can also cause reproductive/developmental issues in human such as a reduction sperm number viability, decreased birth weights, low fetal weight, skeletal malformation, impaired neurological development, decreased reproduction and testicular damage. EPA considers Cadmium to be a probable human carcinogen.