CADMIUM: BASICS

Cadmium is a soft, malleable, bluish white metal represented by the symbol “Cd” and produced as a byproduct of zinc production. It is a naturally occurring element in Earth’s crust, and tends to be found combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. This particular heavy metal is insoluble, though a few cadmium salts are able to dissolve in water. Cadmium is utilized in batteries, coatings, solar cells, plastic stabilizers, and pigments. This metal is also used in nuclear reactors, as it has the ability to absorb neutrons. However, due to the potential toxic effects of cadmium, it is also classified as a carcinogen.