Cadmium and Water

A technical paper by Olympian Water Testing specialists

Cadmium and Drinking Water

Cadmium is a heavy metal present in the earth’s crust in the form of mixtures of substances like Chlorine, Sulphur (Cadmium Sulphate), and oxygen (Cadmium Oxide) [1]. Many consumer products, such as jewelry, batteries, and metal coatings, contain Cadmium. Additionally, food products like leafy vegetables, kidney beans, and nuts contain Cadmium. Cadmium is a toxic element to the human body, and its presence in water could lead to ingestion and subsequent oxidative physiological damage [2].

We aim to educate you about Cadmium contamination of water, its effect on your health, what you can do mitigate them, how to decontaminate water, and where to seek help.

How does Cadmium get into the water?

There are different ways Cadmium can get into the water. Cadmium can leech into the water through galvanized pipes when distribution and plumbing materials are contaminated [3]. Soft water of low pH has high levels of Cadmium because the materials used are more corrosive than others. Drinking water tends to have Cadmium because of its use in industrial activities, which results in cadmium waste leeching into water sources [2, 3].

Low levels of Cadmium are present on the earth’s surface and are not harmful. However, the levels of Cadmium vary from place to place and have been detected in high levels only in a few areas [4]. Water from a landfill is an example of a place with high levels of Cadmium, and higher levels result from using and disposing of products with Cadmium. A 2014 report from Minnesota showed that for the last decade, cadmium levels were undetectable [3].

The most important thing is to avoid using cadmium water as much as possible. If tests show high cadmium levels, take immediate action to ensure you are not drinking contaminated water. You can opt for bottled water for the time being as you look for a solution.

What is the safe level of Cadmium in water?

According to World Health Organization (WHO), acceptable levels of Cadmium in water are 0.003 mg/L. Water with more than 0.005mg/L cadmium levels is unsafe for consumption [5]. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a maximum cadmium limit of 0.005 mg/L. The minimal risk level (MRL) standard states that cadmium levels to chronically ingest without risk of adverse health effects are 0.1 µg/kg/day. According to the EPA standards, human exposure’s reference dose (Dose without adverse effects) is 0.0005 mg/kg/day [6]. Therefore, always test your water to determine the levels of cadmium, take measures to escape the health risks associated with it, and keep them under the standards.

How can you test water for Cadmium?

Testing water for Cadmium involves steps requiring experts and specific tools, such as atomic-absorption spectrophotometry and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry [7]. The best way is to take a water sample to a certified laboratory to test the water for you. The lab can perform a chemical analysis of the water sample. The testing method is simple, quick, and highly precise and will inform you whether your water is safe or should consider using another source. However, it requires specialists to perform.

What are the health effects of drinking water with Cadmium?

Like other heavy metals, the health effects of Cadmium depend on the type and quantity of exposure. The duration of exposure determines whether you will suffer minimal or dire health consequences. Moreover, people react differently to cadmium exposure, making it hard to exact quantity effects for everyone.

Exposure to Cadmium can cause diarrhea, coughing, vomiting, or chest pain. However, long-term exposure can cause kidney disease, convulsions, and lung damage [8]. Although short-term exposure may have little to no effects, long-term exposure to low levels can contribute to weak bones. Studies have indicated that cadmium toxicity leads to cell wall destruction and cell growth impairment and disrupts innate detoxification [8]. Though Cadmium toxicity effect depends on ingestion route, quantity, and exposure rate, kidneys are the most susceptible as they deposit 30% of the Cadmium in the body [9], with diabetic patients being the most vulnerable to renal tubular damage from Cadmium exposure [10].

How are you exposed to Cadmium?

Cadmium exposure happens in many ways. It can happen through foods such as leafy vegetables, peanuts, shellfish, or sunflower seeds [11]. Other sources of exposure include drinking water, smoking tobacco, jewelry, and plastics [8]. Additionally, cigarette smokers are exposed to high levels of Cadmium from cigarette smoke, which is a factor for lung emphysema [12]. Cadmium in tobacco smokers: a neglected link to lung disease. Individuals who work in high-risk jobs such as plastics, welding, and soldering are also exposed to cadmium [11].

Children have high exposure because they tend to pick anything and put it in their mouths without considering whether they are safe or not. Children’s exposure to Cadmium happens through food, house dust, and tobacco smoke [13]. Cadmium is present in high levels of tobacco, and smoking it near children puts them at greater risk. Therefore, avoiding cigarettes is not only for your good but saves your children also. Using contaminated water for cooking food also puts children’s health at risk. While the transfer of Cadmium through breastfeeding is rare, it can still occur. A study conducted in Kerman, Iran, found significant contamination of breast milk with Cadmium and lead and identified and suggested low socio-economic status as the possible factor since it exposes to high pollution [14]. However, other studies have established a positive correlation between cadmium levels in breastmilk, maternal smoking, and the number of cigarettes smoked [15].

Does Cadmium put the health of children at risk?

Children suffer the most when exposed to heavy metals like Cadmium. Because of its dire health effects, it is better to avoid any form of exposure to children. According to the WHO, Cadmium disrupts and decreases bone density in children, thereby interfering with proper development.

Cadmium does not leave your body over time but builds up in other organs. Exposure and accumulation of Cadmium start at an early age, which may take time before the symptoms manifest in children with weaker immune systems compared to adults.

Cadmium can cross the placental barriers and affect the fetus, and prenatal and postnatal cadmium exposures can have serious pregnancy effects, including low birth weight, low growth rate, and malformations [13]. Children are susceptible to toxicants during early life development stages. Therefore, cadmium exposure may present serious developmental complications to the fetus and infants, and the presence of Cadmium in the body doesn’t manifest right away but in later stages of life [16]. Low levels of cadmium exposure can have chronic effects in children if not addressed immediately [13]. The accumulated effects from childhood may be difficult to eradicate later in life. Clinical and experimental studies have found that kidneys are the most susceptible to cadmium toxicity effects in Utero. Due to the long half-life of 10-30 years, the exposed baby has long-term effects till difficult to treat. Neurological and behavioral problems have also been identified following exposure during pregnancy [16].

Due to the serious health impact of cadmium exposure on children, you must take precautions to limit exposure. Children are still developing, and any exposure to chemicals can hinder this process and cause irreversible damage [16]. Always remember that Cadmium’s effects accumulate over time and are hard to eliminate. Therefore, children’s exposure to Cadmium can have severe health complications that start slowly and accumulate in the body.

How can you safely use products that contain Cadmium?

If you get your water from a municipal source, you can obtain a copy of the water quality reports. And do not assume that a well is safe from Cadmium because it is privately owned and maintained; you have to test the drinking water. On the contrary, private systems are the biggest culprits of heavy metals because government regulations do not apply.

Individual owners are responsible for the safety of their plants and cannot shift blame to the government in case things go wrong. Therefore, do your due diligence and ask the necessary questions about testing, findings and eliminating Cadmium from your water.

Ensure that your cadmium batteries are properly recycled and do not expose you and your family to health risks. Cadmium is present in many items in your home, and you should know how to handle them properly. Please do not dispose of items carelessly without considering their impact. Instead, recycle the ones that you can and safely dispose of the ones you no longer use.

Since Cadmium is a key ingredient in many household items, look out for it in the items you bring home. As mentioned, children are at a higher health risk from cadmium exposure.

Always pay attention to the words used in the description to keep your children safe from Cadmium. The WHO recommends adequate iron intake to protect from cadmium exposure since it blocks cadmium absorption in the body. Moreover, eating a balanced diet protects you from the adverse effects of Cadmium. This is due to the protective effect of Vitamin E against cadmium toxicity and other heavy metals’ adverse effects [17]. Aim for whole foods to boost your body’s immunity with the nutrients it needs to wade off attacks. Evidence indicates that vitamins, other food ingredients, and minerals protect the body against toxic metals and chemicals [17–19].

A healthy lifestyle boosts your immunity and keeps you in the right frame to avoid complications later in life. Avoid smoking completely if you want to limit excessive cadmium exposure. If you are already a smoker, start by reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke per day until you overcome the habit. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and practices greatly limits cadmium exposure and improves your overall health, protects you from lifestyle diseases, and strengthens your body.

How does Cadmium get into the environment?

Cadmium gets into the environment through natural events like forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and human actions [11, 20]. Like manufacturing and mining, poor disposal of wastes release Cadmium into the air, soil, and water. Other activities that contribute to the release of Cadmium are fossil fuel combustion and the use of phosphate fertilizers [20].

Avoid handling dangerous chemicals and adopt sustainable and healthy practices to reduce your exposure.

Frequently asked questions about Cadmium

What is Cadmium?

Cadmium is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. It is majorly used in paints, jewelry, batteries, and cigarettes [20].

How does Cadmium enter the body?

Cadmium enters the body through inhalation and ingestion. You have a high chance of cadmium exposure if you smoke tobacco or work in high-risk occupations such as welding and soldering [12]. Additionally, certain foods are high in Cadmium, including nuts, leafy vegetables, and burnt meat.

Cadmium can enter the body if you are fond of mounting objects that contain Cadmium. Drinking water contaminated with Cadmium increases your exposure as well.

How can you reduce your exposure to Cadmium?

You can reduce your exposure to Cadmium by avoiding cigarettes, discouraging children from putting things in their mouths, and properly handling items containing Cadmium. You must be keen on the things around you and avoid those containing Cadmium.

Read the labels of items you buy to ensure that they don’t contain Cadmium. If they do, learn how to handle them to avoid exposure. Although getting children to stop mouthing completely may be difficult, offering a reward for good behavior is a good start. The goal is to avoid things that put you and your family at risk of Cadmium.

What are the health effects of Cadmium?

The health effects of Cadmium are adverse and, in most cases, irreversible. Short-term exposure can cause coughs, headaches, diarrhea, and vomiting. Long-term exposure can cause kidney failure, a weak immune system, and organ damage [8]. Also, Cadmium weakens bones, putting victims at greater risk of bone-related problems. In children, cadmium exposure can cause deformities, growth delays, weak bones, and kidney damage later in life [9]. Knowing the health effects can help you adopt safe practices to shield you and your loved ones from harm.

The effects may not manifest immediately but build up and shows later in life. However, treating health challenges brought on by cadmium exposure later in life is difficult.

How can you know if water has Cadmium?

You can know for sure if water has Cadmium in it by having it professionally tested by a certified laboratory. This gives you credible results in a short time. Get your water tested to prevent accidental or excessive cadmium exposure from drinking water.

When is cadmium safe in drinking water?

Cadmium is safe in drinking water if the levels do not exceed 0.005mg/L. The only way you can ascertain the level of Cadmium in your drinking water is by getting it tested by a certified lab.

Is it safe to shower with water that contains Cadmium?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to shower with water that contains Cadmium. Cadmium cannot enter the body through the skin, so it is okay to shower with it. You can also wash your cars, lawns, and outdoor areas.

What treatment methods are there for cadmium-contaminated water?

Numerous treatment methods can lower cadmium levels in your water. They include ion exchange, filtration and coagulation, reverse osmosis, and softening. The level of Cadmium determines the type of method to be used.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the limit for Cadmium in water at 0.005mg/L [5]. This limit is set to protect the public from exposure to high levels of Cadmium and is based on scientific evidence outlining exposure’s health effects.

Are some people at a greater risk of cadmium exposure?

Yes, some people face a greater risk of cadmium exposure than others. Individuals who smoke tobacco cigarettes, work in high-risk occupations and have nutritional deficits are at a greater risk [12]. Tobacco is made using Cadmium which means that smokers face health risks caused by Cadmium. Moreover, some jobs expose you to Cadmium more than others.

Jobs that make you gain contact with batteries or paints daily put you at greater risk than others. Similarly, making unhealthy food choices puts you at risk because you lack nutrients to block cadmium absorption by the body.

Conclusion

Cadmium is a freely occurring metal in the environment with serious health effects. It gets into the water through natural events like volcanic eruptions and human activities. Short-term health effects of Cadmium include coughing, diarrhea, and vomiting. Long-term exposure to Cadmium can cause organ damage, kidney failure, and weakened immunity.

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