Chemicals Of Concerns Cadmium Coursework Example

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Cadmium
Cadmium is a naturally occurring metal. It is a poisonous element and located in group 12 period 5 of the periodic table. The metal has several roles in the modern world. It is mainly used in rechargeable batteries. It is mostly combined with silver or nickel oxides (Bernard 557). The metal’s ability to travel for long distances makes it suitable for space missions and explorations.
Cadmium has several health effects on humans. To start with, the element has toxic impacts on body organs such as respiratory, kidney, and skeletal systems. Cadmium also causes permanent lung damage if ingested in large amounts. Cadmium has been classified as a carcinogenic element. It quickly causes cancer in various body organs. Other health effects are stomach pains, bone fractures, vomiting and psychological disorders (Bernard 557).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted a rule in 2012 to monitor and regulate cadmium use in manufacturing. The rule requires all manufacturers and importers to report safety and health studies regarding cadmium to EPA. EPA aims at reducing cadmium use in consumer products due to its many health effects (Erickson n. p.). However, the state of Mississippi is yet to take any position regarding the use of cadmium.
In my opinion, cadmium should be more regulated in the United States. Apart from being used in rechargeable batteries, cadmium is also used in products such as paints and plastics. Millions of people use such products every day.

The use of cadmium should be tightly regulated due to its many health effects.
In conclusion, label requirements would not be enough since labeling products that contain cadmium do not prevent people from using them. Besides, very few individuals take time to go through a product’s label. Label requirements is a weak intervention. Better intervention strategies are minimizing discharges and emissions in manufacturing or mining processes.

Works Cited
Bernard, Alfred. “Cadmium & its adverse effects on human health.” Indian Journal of Medical Research 128.4 (2008).
Erickson, Britt E. “EPA Requires Data on Cadmium.” https://cen.acs.org/articles/90/149/EPA-Requires-Data-Cadmium.html?type=paidArticleContent. N. p., 2012. Web. 27 Feb 2018