CADMIUM-USGSMinerals.pdfVIP

CADMIUM By Jozef Plachy Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Heather A. Geissler, statistical assistant, and the world production table was prepared by Regina R. Coleman, international data coordinator. Compared with 2001, estimated cadmium metal production chocolate manufacturers in the United States. According to in the United States increased by about 3% in 2002. Apparent its own research, the AESI claims that “levels of cadmium and domestic consumption more than doubled due to National lead present in chocolate products pose a clear and present Defense Stockpile (NDS) sales, but actual consumption was danger to children’s health.” The lawsuit seeks in part to force about the same as in 2001. Sales from the NDS, operated by the the manufacturers to include warning labels on their chocolate U.S. Department of Defense, increased twentyfold. Cadmium products in accord with provisions of California’s Proposition prices increased for the third consecutive year (table 1). 65, which requires warnings to be given to individuals before In the United States, only two companies produced cadmium they are exposed to hazardous and dangerous chemicals 1 in 2002—Pasminco Ltd. produced primary cadmium as a (American Environmental Safety Institute, 2002§ ). byproduct of the smelting and refining of zinc concentrates, and Tough restrictions on the use of cadmium in Austria and International Metals Reclamation Company Inc. (INMETCO)