What is cadmium and how is it used?
Pure cadmium is a soft, silver-white metal found naturally in small quantities in air, water and soil. Cadmium does not have a definite taste or odor. Cadmium is not mined, but it is a byproduct of the smelting of other metals such as zinc, lead and copper. Cadmium is used in nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries and for metal plating. It also is used in some paints, plastics and metal solders. Some metal containers, such as ice cube trays, pitchers, bowls or ceramic ware can contain small amounts of cadmium. The main industries that use cadmium are metal smelting, electronics, nuclear power, paint pigment production, and other metal working and refining companies.
