New research suggests that everyday household products have high levels of cadmium, a known carcinogen. These include second-hand plastic toys, decorations on drinking glasses, bottles of alcoholic beverages, ceramics and art paints.
Cadmium is typically used to impart a bright red, orange or yellow colour to the products. However, over time cadmium may get separated as the glass starts to flake and the glaze on ceramics fails. Cadmium can also be accidentally introduced into products during recycling. Cumulative exposure to cadmium potentially increases the risk to human health and the environment. Globally, legal or advisory limits for cadmium range from 50-800 parts per million (ppm).
A research team at the University of Plymouth led by Dr Andrew Turner analysed thousands of new and second-hand household items with the help of portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The team found cadmium levels up to 70,000 ppm on the enamels of old and new drinking glasses and bottles. High levels (up to 40,000 ppm) were also found in new ceramic items such as mugs, plates and bowls, and old plastic products including toys. Cadmium was also seen in lower amounts across a range of other consumer products, most likely to have been introduced during recycling.
Dr Turner said: "Cadmium is listed among the WHO’s ten chemicals of major public health concern, alongside substances such as lead and asbestos. Given that there are nontoxic alternatives available, and knowing the effects that cadmium can have, you have to question why it is still being used at all."