Cadmium
Cadmium (0.01%) is a heavy metal with many uses, including rechargeable batteries, alloys, coatings (electroplating), solar cells, plastic stabilizers, and pigments aswell as nuclear reactors and is also present in cigarette smoke.
Cadmium is considered a cancer-causing agent, where breathing high levels lungs and can cause death. Exposure to low levels of cadmium in air, food, water, and particularly in tobacco smoke over time may build up cadmium in the kidneys and cause kidney disease and fragile bones.
Cadmium is covered by the EU and UK Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) directive and regulations, meaning its use is restricted to 0.01% in products through application and monitored, along with other substances that include lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Electrical and electronic equipment
- End of life potential.
- Environmental impact assessment EIA.
- Environmental plan for building design and construction.
- Glossary of electrical terms.
- Hire, reclaim and reuse scheme combats construction waste.
- How to conduct a pre-demolition audit.
- Plastic and recycling.
- Primary non-rechargeable batteries.
- Rare earth metals.
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment RoHS
- Recycling explained.
- Secondary rechargeable batteries.
- Types of plastic in construction.
- Waste and Resources Action Programme WRAP.
- Waste hierarchy.
- Waste management plan for England..
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
The hidden risk in modern construction supply chains.
Construction Management, 10 June
24 months to 14: CITB launches accelerated apprenticeships.
Bridging the gap between clients and contractors
Concerns remain around contractor quality, capability, and delivery.
Construction Management, 10 June.
Heat pumps beat boilers in new home tests.
Building Safety Act implementation in Wales
CIAT to host industry panel on 26 June.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.