CHEMICALS OF CONCERN IN THE ENVIRONMENT 2
Cadmium (Cd) is a shiny, silver-white, spongy and extraordinarily malleable heavy
metal. It has a bluish tinge surface which is soft enough to cut with a knife. However, it
blemishes when exposed to air. Cadmium is soluble in acids unlike in the alkalis, and it bears
similar characteristics as to zinc with a notable difference of forming more complex compounds.
Cadmium is mainly used in the rechargeable batteries mostly in combination with silver or silver
oxides. More so, the solar rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries are used in space study
operations most specifically being in the Magellan search that discovered the planet Venus
(Marci, 2013).
Cadmium is associated with some health effects such as respiratory related problems, and
emphysema. Cadmium accumulates in human organs such as kidneys causing kidney diseases
like kidney stones, hypertension, and cardiac complications. Too much exposure to cadmium
causes the immune system to weaken and is also linked to lung cancer and prostate swelling
(Marci, 2013). EPA has issued a regulation that requires producers and importers of the chemical
or its compounds to be used in consumer goods to table a report of certain unpublished health
and safety research to the organization. EPA has initiated a special program with the Consumer
Product Safety Commission to decrease cadmium use in consumer goods. However, the
government has not implemented a law that regulates the chemical use, although plans to enact
such regulation in future remains underway (Marci, 2013).
The government of the United States should enact strict rules regarding the cadmium use.
Excessive exposure and use are known to be associated with some health problems with severe
effects on children than adults. The federal government should ensure the workers working in
cadmium industries have the appropriate tools and apparatus to ensure they are not exposed to
the chemical for long hours (Marci, 2013). Also, it should be made mandatory by the U.S.
