Toxic substances list: inorganic cadmium compounds

Cadmium (Cd) is present in the Canadian environment as a result of both natural processes (including forest fires, volcanic emissions and weathering of soil, till, and bedrock) and human activities. Of the natural sources of cadmium to the environment, weathering and erosion of cadmium-bearing rocks represent perhaps the most important source. Anthropogenic sources of cadmium entry to the Canadian environment include metal production (particularly base metal smelting and refining), stationary fuel combustion (power generation and heating), transportation, solid waste disposal, and sewage sludge application.

For information on Canada's international engagement on this substance, please visit:

• Protocol to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) on Heavy Metals

There is more than one CAS number that applies to this group of substances.

Risk Assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
  a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity.
  c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Source(s)

This substance is entering the environment from the following source(s):

• Base Metals Smelting Sector
• Electric Power Generation Sector (Fossil Fuel)
• Steel Manufacturing Sector

Risk Management Tool(s)

Tool(s) developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• New Source Emission Guidelines for Thermal Electricity Generation, 2003-01-04 (PDF; 880 KB))
• New Source Emission Guidelines for Thermal Electricity Generation, 2003-01-04 (HTML)
• Environmental Code of Practice for Integrated Steel Mills
• Environmental Code of Practice for Non-Integrated Steel Mills
• Pollution Prevention Planning Notices - Base Metals Smelters and Refineries and Zinc Plants

Other Information

• North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation Web Site
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - Information Centre
• The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3

Telephone: 1-800-567-1999  (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Fax: 819-938-3231
E-mail: eccc.substances.eccc@canada.ca

Return to Substance List