effects upon biotic systems. Other hazard(s) N/A N/A Other heavy metals and metalloids such as Main likely chemical contaminants tellurium, arsenic and antimony. Commonly found in zinc deposits and phosphate rock. The main industrial sources of cadmium related hazardous waste are electricity supply, aerospace industries, ports, defence activities, fertiliser manufacturing, metal mining and metal processing. The largest waste from these industrial sources are end of life nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries. Cadmium may also be present in spent Where does it Main sources catalyst waste and other metal processing residues. come from? Significant contributions of cadmium in waste come through more distributed and traditionally non-hazardous streams such as e-waste, biosolids and agricultural fertiliser run-off. These streams are not reflected in hazardous waste arising volumes of cadmium; cadmium compounds. End of life NiCad batteries are increasingly undergoing recycling, as is e-waste. Other forms of cadmium waste undergo chemical/ physical treatment How is it Main fates to immobilise the hazard, then the stabilised material is disposed of managed? in hazardous waste landfill. Some Cd liquid wastes may be discharged to sewer under regulatory agreements, which will require the meeting of low concentration limits for Cd. <1% 1 5% 5 10% Volume score 10 20% 20% – – – ≥ (% of national tonnes in 2013) 0.0004% How much is generated in TOTAL: 31 ACT: 0 NSW: 8 Australia? Waste arising in NT: 0 Qld: 8 SA: 4 2013 (tonnes) Tas: 2 Vic: 1 WA: 8 Cadmium is a very toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal, which is ubiquitous (but generally at low levels) in the environment, food and Overview water supplies, primarily from historical pollution, and industrial workplaces. Potential health Acute toxicity Extreme: Very toxic by inhalation can be fatal. Toxic if swallowed. – impacts Extreme: Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed. Breathing air with Chronic toxicity lower levels of cadmium over a number of years results in a build-up of cadmium in the kidney, and if sufficiently high, may result in kidney disease.
effects upon biotic systems. Other hazard(s) N/A N/A Main likely chemical contaminants Other heavy metals and metalloids such as tellurium, arsenic and antimony. Commonly found in zinc deposits and phosphate rock. Where does it come from? Main sources The main industrial sources of cadmium related hazardous waste are electricity supply, aerospace industries, ports, defence activities, fertiliser manufacturing, metal mining and metal processing. The largest waste from these industrial sources are end of life nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries. Cadmium may also be present in spent catalyst waste and other metal processing residues. Significant contributions of cadmium in waste come through more distributed and traditionally non-hazardous streams such as e-waste, biosolids and agricultural fertiliser run-off. These streams are not reflected in hazardous waste arising volumes of cadmium; cadmium compounds. How is it managed? Main fates End of life NiCad batteries are increasingly undergoing recycling, as is e-waste. Other forms of cadmium waste undergo chemical/ physical treatment to immobilise the hazard, then the stabilised material is disposed of in hazardous waste landfill. Some Cd liquid wastes may be discharged to sewer under regulatory agreements, which will require the meeting of low concentration limits for Cd. How much is generated in Australia? Volume score (% of national tonnes in 2013) <1% 1 – 5% 5 – 10% 10 – 20% ≥ 20% 0.0004% Waste arising in 2013 (tonnes) TOTAL: 31 ACT: 0 NSW: 8 NT: 0 Qld: 8 SA: 4 Tas: 2 Vic: 1 WA: 8 Potential health impacts Overview Cadmium is a very toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal, which is ubiquitous (but generally at low levels) in the environment, food and water supplies, primarily from historical pollution, and industrial workplaces. Acute toxicity Extreme: Very toxic by inhalation – can be fatal. Toxic if swallowed. Chronic toxicity Extreme: Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed. Breathing air with lower levels of cadmium over a number of years results in a build-up of cadmium in the kidney, and if sufficiently high, may result in kidney disease.