Cadmium

Classification

Acute toxicity, Category 3 (oral); Acute toxicity, Category 2 (inhalation); Germ cell mutagenicity, Category 2; Carcinogenicity, Category 1B; Reproductive toxicity, Category 2; STOT repeated exposure, Category 1; Aquatic hazard, acute and chronic, Category 1 (supplier SDS under OSHA HCS; some authorities list Carcinogenicity 1A)

Hazard statements

• H301 Toxic if swallowed.
• H330 Fatal if inhaled.
• H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects.
• H350 May cause cancer.
• H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
• H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
• H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Key precautionary statements

• P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
• P260 Do not breathe dust or fume.
• P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
• P273 Avoid release to the environment.
• P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing and eye protection.
• P284 Wear respiratory protection.
• P301+P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a poison center or doctor.
• P405 Store locked up.
• P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

Limits apply to cadmium metal and all cadmium compounds, measured as cadmium, in both dust and fume. OSHA regulates cadmium under its own standards: 29 CFR 1910.1027 for general industry and 29 CFR 1926.1127 for construction. Both set a PEL of 5 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA and an action level of 2.5 µg/m³, which triggers monitoring at least every six months and medical surveillance for workers exposed at or above it on 30 or more days a year. In some industries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries, zinc and cadmium refining, pigments and lead smelting), OSHA allows higher engineering-control limits of 15 or 50 µg/m³, with respirators used to reach the PEL. NIOSH treats cadmium as a potential occupational carcinogen and recommends the lowest feasible concentration. The ACGIH TLV is 0.01 mg/m³ (total) and 0.002 mg/m³ (respirable). State OSHA plans may set different limits.

• Appearance: Silver-white, bluish, lustrous metal. Fume is a fine yellow-brown cadmium oxide particulate
• Odor: Odorless
• Molecular weight: 112.4
• Boiling point: 1409°F (765°C)
• Melting point: 610°F (321°C)
• Flash point: Not applicable; bulk metal does not burn, but fine powder can
• Explosive limits: Not applicable
• Vapor pressure: 0 mmHg (approx.)
• Specific gravity: 8.65
• Water solubility: Insoluble

Inhalation

The main route. Heating, cutting or welding cadmium-containing metal produces cadmium oxide fume (see welding fume). Short-term exposure causes flu-like metal fume fever, chest tightness, cough and shortness of breath, often delayed by several hours. Higher exposures cause fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which can be fatal and may not appear for 24 to 48 hours.

Skin

Can irritate the skin. Contaminated hands carry cadmium to the mouth.

Eyes

Dust and fume irritate the eyes.

Ingestion

Causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Target organs

Respiratory system, kidneys, prostate, blood

Long-term effects

Cadmium builds up in the body. Repeated exposure damages the kidneys (protein in the urine), causes emphysema and bronchitis, mild anemia, loss of smell and tooth discoloration. It causes lung cancer and is linked to prostate cancer, and IARC classifies cadmium and its compounds as Group 1. It is suspected of harming fertility or the unborn child. Cadmium is often found alongside lead, for example in lead smelting.

Gloves

The New Jersey Department of Health lists nitrile or neoprene gloves.

Eyes and face

Goggles or safety glasses with side shields. OSHA requires full-facepiece respirators where cadmium irritates the eyes.

Respiratory

Under OSHA, air-purifying respirators must have HEPA filters, and employers must provide a powered air-purifying respirator on request when it gives enough protection. Select respirators from the cadmium standard and a full respiratory protection program. For concentrations above the NIOSH REL or unknown levels, NIOSH lists a pressure-demand SCBA or supplied-air respirator, and a full-facepiece respirator with N100, R100 or P100 filters for escape.

Clothing

Coveralls (Tyvek or equivalent), head and foot coverings. Above the PEL, OSHA requires these at no cost, cleaned or replaced at least weekly. Do not blow or shake dust off clothing; store contaminated items in sealed, labeled containers.

Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Mark regulated areas where exposure may exceed the PEL and ban eating, drinking and smoking there.

Use enclosure and local exhaust ventilation to control dust and fume. Clean with HEPA-filtered vacuums; only sweep or shovel after vacuuming has been tried and found ineffective, and use compressed air only with ventilation that captures the dust. Provide change rooms, showers and hand washing.

Keep away from

• Strong oxidizers
• Elemental sulfur, selenium and tellurium
• Acids (can release flammable hydrogen gas)

• Evacuate and keep unprotected people away. NJDOH suggests an initial isolation distance of 25 meters (75 feet).
• Wear a respirator with HEPA (N100/P100) filters or better, gloves, coveralls and eye protection.
• Moisten the material or collect it with a HEPA-filtered vacuum. Do not dry sweep.
• Place in sealed, labeled containers; it may need disposal as hazardous waste.
• Do not wash into sewers or waterways; cadmium is very toxic to aquatic life.
• For transport incidents, refer to ERG Guide 154.

Suitable extinguishing media

• Use the agent best suited to the surrounding fire
• Water spray to cool fire-exposed containers

Special hazards

Bulk metal does not burn, but fine powder can. Fires give off highly toxic cadmium oxide fume. Firefighters should wear SCBA and full protective gear and keep runoff out of drains.

• OSHA Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200): Hazardous chemical; labels, safety data sheets and worker training required.
• OSHA Cadmium, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1027): PEL 5 µg/m³ TWA, action level 2.5 µg/m³, written compliance program, regulated areas, hygiene facilities, medical surveillance with biological monitoring (cadmium in urine and blood, and urinary beta-2 microglobulin), and medical removal protection. Signs read DANGER / CADMIUM / CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS AND KIDNEYS.
• OSHA Cadmium, construction (29 CFR 1926.1127): Same PEL and action level.
• CERCLA hazardous substance (40 CFR 302.4): Reportable quantity 10 lb (4.54 kg). No report is needed when the released solid metal pieces are larger than 100 micrometers in mean diameter.
• DOT Hazardous Materials (49 CFR 172.101): Cadmium compounds ship as UN2570, Class 6.1. Supplier SDSs ship the metal as UN3288, Toxic solid, inorganic, n.o.s. (cadmium), Class 6.1, PG II. ERG Guide 154.

• NIOSH Pocket Guide: Cadmium dust (as Cd)
• NIOSH Pocket Guide: Cadmium fume (as Cd)
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1027 Cadmium
• OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1127 Cadmium (construction)
• NJ Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Cadmium oxide
• NITE (Japan) GHS classification: Cadmium
• Sigma-Aldrich SDS: Cadmium
• 40 CFR Part 302 (CERCLA reportable quantities)