Archived: Air Pollutant Emission Inventory report: chapter 2.8

2.8 Cadmium (Cd)

Approximately 7.8 t of Cd were released in Canada in 2015 (Table 2-10). Ore and mineral industries accounted for 70% (5.4 t) of national emissions, including the non-ferrous smelting and refining industry at 65% (5.1 t) of the total emissions. Commercial/ residential/ institutional sources contributed 14% (1.1 t) of the total Cd emissions.

From 1990 to 2015, national Cd emissions decreased by 91% (83 t) (Figure 2-8). This trend is almost entirely driven by the non-ferrous mining and smelting industry. Emissions in this sector fluctuated greatly between 1990 and 2006, but decreased steadily from 2007 to 2014, followed by a small increase of 0.48 t in 2015. As with Pb emissions, reductions in Cd emissions from this sector are attributed to the closure of outdated smelters and the introduction of pollution prevention regulations. Fluctuations in emissions prior to 2010 are almost entirely driven by emissions from a single smelter in Manitoba.

The most significant changes in Cd emissions from 1990 to 2015 include:

• Ore and mineral industries: decrease of 93% (75 t)
  • Non-ferrous mining and smelting industry: decrease of 94% (73 t)

Notes:

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

- denotes no emissions.