Cadmium

1
Cadmium
2
What is Cadmium?

• Cadmium (Cd) is a naturally occurring minor
  element and one of the metallic components in the
  earths crust and oceans
• Cadmium metal is produced as a by-product from
  the extraction, smelting and refining of the
  nonferrous metals zinc, lead and copper
• Cadmium is also an OSHA-regulated carcinogen

Source http//www.cadmium.org
3
Uses of Cadmium

• Cadmium metal and cadmium compounds are used as
  pigments, stabilizers, coatings, specialty
  alloys, and electronic compounds
• More than 80 of its use is in rechargeable
  nickel-cadmium batteries

Source http//www.cadmium.org
4
Forms of Cadmium

• Cadmium sulfate (CdSO4.8/3H2O)
• used for electroplating of cadmium in electronic
  circuits
• Cadmium chloride (CdCl2)
• used in the production of "Cadmium Yellow", a
  brilliant yellow pigment
• Cadmium sulfide (CdS)
• used as a thermal stabilizer in many polymers
• used in production of greenish yellow to red
  violet pigment when selenium is added to compound
  

Source http//en.wikipedia.org
5
Exposure Sources

• Cadmium production
• Natural exposure (environmental)
• P-fertilizer
• Fossil fuel combustion
• Iron and steel production
• Non-ferrous material production
• Welding
• Waste incineration
• Cement manufacturing

Source http//www.cadmium.org
6
Types of Exposure

• Because cadmium is a carcinogenic substance,
  proper precautions during handling must be
  observed at all times.
• Cadmium can be absorbed into the body through the
  skin, by inhalation, and by ingestion.
• A harmful concentration of airborne particles can
  be reached quickly when dispersed, especially if
  powdered

Source http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng1318
.html
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Effects of Cadmium on Humans

• Acute exposure
• Flu-like symptoms of weakness, fever, headache,
  chills, sweating and muscular pain
• Acute pulmonary edema usually develops within 24
  hours of exposure and reaches a maximum by three
  days.
• If death from asphyxia does not occur, symptoms
  may resolve within a week.

Source http//www.osha.gov/SLTC/cadmium/recogniti
on.html
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Effects of Cadmium on Humans (cont)

• Chronic exposure
• Lung and prostate cancer is the most serious
  consequence of chronic cadmium poisoning.
• The first observed chronic effect is generally
  kidney damage.
• Is believed to cause pulmonary emphysema and bone
  disease (osteomalcia and osteoporosis).
• May also cause anemia, teeth discoloration (Cd
  forms CdS) and loss of smell (anosmia).

Source http//www.osha.gov/SLTC/cadmium/recogniti
on.html
9
Cadmium Related Deaths

• Several deaths from acute exposure are known to
  have occurred among welders who have
  unsuspectingly welded on cadmium-containing
  alloys.
• Deaths due to chronic exposure are harder to
  quantify.

Source http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/84116_42.html
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Cadmium Related Deaths (cont)

• Data included in the 1976 NIOSH document
  Criteria for a Recommended Standard....Occupationa
  l Exposure to Cadmium suggested a link between
  cancer and cadmium exposure.
• Studies conducted on cadmium-exposed workers
  found a statistically significant excess of
  deaths from prostate cancer.
• In a related study, lung cancer mortality was
  also found to increase with increased cumulative
  exposure to cadmium.

Source http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/84116_42.html
11
Safety Procedures and Policies

• OSHA Regulations
• Hazard Communication
• Medical Screening and Surveillance
• PPE
• Respiratory Protection

12
OSHA Regulation

• OSHA regulations regarding cadmium standards
  include
• General industry standard, 29 CFR 1910.1027(l)
• Shipyard standard, 29 CFR 1915.1027
• Construction standard, 29 CFR 1926.1127

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Hazard Communication

• OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
  requires the development and dissemination of
  such information
• Chemical manufacturers and importers are required
  to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they
  produce or import
• Prepare labels and MSDSs to convey the hazard
  information to their downstream customers
• All employers with hazardous chemicals in their
  workplaces must have labels and MSDSs for their
  exposed workers, and train them to handle the
  chemicals appropriately

Source http//www.osha.gov
14
Medical Screening and Surveillance

• Medical screening and medical surveillance are
  two strategies for optimizing employee health
• The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and
  treatment of the individual
• The purpose of surveillance is to detect and
  eliminate the underlying causes such as hazards
  or exposures of any discovered trends
• Both can contribute significantly to the success
  of worksite health and safety programs

Source http//www.osha.gov
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Medical Screening and Surveillance (cont)

• An examination shall be provided to employees
  within 30 days after initial assignment to a job
  with exposure to cadmium and shall include
• A detailed medical and work history (with
  emphasis on past, present, and anticipated future
  exposure to cadmium)
• Biological monitoring including
• Cadmium levels in urine
• Beta-2 microglobulin in urine
• Cadmium levels in blood

Source http//www.osha.gov
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Medical Screening and Surveillance (cont)

• If cadmium levels in blood or urine samples are
  above acceptable limits, an exposed worker will
  be subject to a reexamination and periodic
  examinations thereafter.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Protective work clothing and equipment includes,
  but is not limited to
• Coveralls or similar full-body work clothing
• Gloves, head coverings, and boots or foot
  coverings
• Face shields, vented goggles, or other
  appropriate protective equipment that complies
  with 29 CFR 1910.133

Source OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.1027(i)
1926.1127(i)
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (cont)

• Exposure
• Inhalation
• Skin
• Eyes
• Indigestion

• Prevention
• Local exhaust, breathing protection, or closed
  system
• Protective gloves and clothing
• Safety goggles or eye protection in combination
  with breathing protection
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke, chew tobacco or gum
  while working with hazardous substance. Wash
  hands before eating.

Source http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0020
.html http//www.osha.gov
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Respiratory Protection

• Mechanical ventilation must be used if necessary
• The employer must implement a respiratory
  protection program in accordance the
  corresponding OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.1027
  1926.1127).
• Employers must also
• Select, and provide to employees, the appropriate
  respirators
• Provide employees with full facepiece respirators
  when they experience eye irritation
• Provide HEPA filters for powered and non-powered
  air-purifying respirators

Source http//www.osha.gov