Cadmium Exposure in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cadmium is a heavy metal produced during the smelting of other metals such as zinc, lead, and copper. In and around Grand Rapids, Michigan, cadmium may be encountered in certain industrial workplaces, older manufacturing sites, and through consumer products like rechargeable batteries and tobacco smoke.

Cadmium is most commonly used in:

  • Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable batteries (older mobile phones, cordless tools, some electronics)
  • Metal plating and coatings
  • Certain paints and plastics
  • Some fertilizers
  • Cigarette smoke

Understanding how cadmium exposure happens and how to reduce your risk is important for residents, workers, and families in the Grand Rapids area.

How People in Grand Rapids May Be Exposed to Cadmium

Workplace (Occupational) Exposure

In West Michigan, including Grand Rapids, cadmium exposure is most likely to occur in industrial or manufacturing settings. Workers may be exposed through:

  • Metal smelting and refining (zinc, lead, copper)
  • Welding, soldering, and brazing on cadmium-containing metals
  • Cadmium alloy manufacturing or use
  • Battery manufacturing or recycling, especially nickel-cadmium batteries
  • Production of certain plastics, pigments, and paints
  • Textile work involving cadmium-based dyes or finishes
  • Jewelry making and repair using cadmium-containing solders or alloys
  • Stained glass window making, where cadmium-based pigments and solder may be used
  • Municipal solid waste recovery and recycling workers, including those handling electronics and batteries

In these workplaces, inhalation of cadmium-containing dust, fumes, or smoke is the main route of exposure.

Environmental and Lifestyle Exposure

For the general population in Grand Rapids, common sources of cadmium exposure include:

  • Cigarette smoking – cigarettes contain cadmium; smokers can receive roughly twice the daily dose of cadmium compared with non-smokers
  • Secondhand smoke – people breathing cigarette smoke can inhale cadmium even if they do not smoke
  • Food – cadmium can be found at higher levels in:
    • Organ meats (kidneys and liver of animals)
    • Shellfish
    • Foods grown in soils fertilized with phosphate fertilizers that contain cadmium

Some industrial processes can release cadmium into the air. Modern environmental regulations and controls in Michigan are designed to limit these emissions to protect public health.

Local Environmental Considerations

In the Grand Rapids area:

  • Industrial zones and older manufacturing sites may be more likely to have historical cadmium use. Environmental monitoring and cleanup projects in Michigan help reduce ongoing risk.
  • Agricultural areas around West Michigan that use phosphate fertilizers may have soils with slightly higher cadmium levels, which can affect some crops.
  • Great Lakes region fish and shellfish can sometimes contain heavy metals; following Michigan fish consumption advisories helps reduce potential exposure.

Overall, it is unlikely that the general population in Grand Rapids is exposed to cadmium at levels high enough to cause adverse health effects under normal conditions.

How Cadmium Affects the Body

Once cadmium enters the body, it is mainly stored in the liver and kidneys and is slowly excreted in urine over many years. The health effects depend on:

  • How cadmium enters the body (breathing vs. eating/drinking)
  • The amount of cadmium
  • How long the exposure lasts
  • Individual health factors (age, kidney function, smoking status, nutrition)

Short-Term (Acute) Inhalation Exposure

Breathing air with high levels of cadmium over a short period (for example, an industrial accident without proper protection) can cause:

  • Flu-like symptoms: chills, fever, muscle pain
  • Later symptoms:
    • Lung irritation and damage
    • Shortness of breath
    • Chest pain
    • Cough

In severe cases, acute cadmium inhalation can be life-threatening.

Long-Term (Chronic) Inhalation Exposure

Breathing lower levels of cadmium over a long period (often in certain workplaces without adequate protection) can lead to:

  • Kidney disease and reduced kidney function
  • Weakening of bones, increasing the risk of fractures
  • Long-term lung damage

Workers in high-risk industries in Grand Rapids should follow all workplace safety rules and use appropriate protective equipment.

Ingesting Cadmium in Food or Drink

Eating or drinking high levels of cadmium can cause:

  • Stomach irritation
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches and flu-like symptoms
  • Swelling of the throat
  • Tingling in the hands

Only a small portion of cadmium from food is absorbed into the body each time. However, long-term consumption of cadmium-contaminated foods can still lead to:

  • Kidney damage
  • Bone weakening and loss of bone density

Very large doses can damage the kidneys, liver, and heart, and may be fatal.

Effects of Cadmium on Children and Babies

Children exposed to cadmium are expected to have similar symptoms to adults, though their developing bodies may be more vulnerable to long-term effects.

Key points for families in Grand Rapids:

  • Breastmilk: Small amounts of cadmium can be found in the breastmilk of women exposed to high levels of cadmium, usually through occupational exposure.
  • Pregnancy and birth weight: Mothers exposed to high cadmium levels in the workplace may have babies with lower birth weights.
  • Normal environmental levels: Exposure to cadmium at the low levels normally found in the environment is not likely to cause low birth weight or serious health issues in babies.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and work in a high-risk job in the Grand Rapids area, speak with your employer about safety measures and talk with your healthcare provider.

Cadmium and Cancer Risk

Cadmium and its compounds are classified as carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

  • Inhalation: Breathing cadmium in workplace air over long periods can increase the risk of lung cancer. This is a particular concern in industrial settings without adequate ventilation or protective equipment.
  • Ingestion: Ingesting cadmium in food or drink at typical environmental levels is not currently thought to cause cancer, based on available evidence.

For workers in Grand Rapids industries that use cadmium, following Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) standards and employer safety programs helps reduce this risk.

Testing and Diagnosis of Cadmium Exposure in Grand Rapids

If you live or work in Grand Rapids and think you have been exposed to high levels of cadmium, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Medical Tests

Healthcare providers in Grand Rapids (including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health clinics) can order:

  • Blood tests to measure recent cadmium exposure
  • Urine tests to assess longer-term cadmium levels and kidney function
  • Additional tests to check the health of the kidneys and liver

Hair and nail tests are sometimes advertised, but their accuracy for measuring cadmium exposure is not well established and they are not routinely recommended for diagnosis.

Treatment

There is no specific antidote for cadmium poisoning. Treatment focuses on:

  • Supportive medical care (for example, oxygen, fluids, and symptom management)
  • Removing or reducing further exposure to cadmium
  • Monitoring and managing kidney and lung function over time

Early medical evaluation is important to prevent long-term damage.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Cadmium Exposure in Grand Rapids

1. Stop Smoking and Avoid Secondhand Smoke

In Michigan, where people spend long periods indoors during cold winters, indoor air quality is especially important.

  • Quit smoking – cigarette smoke contains cadmium that is easily absorbed through the lungs.
  • Avoid secondhand smoke – limit your time in places where people smoke, and keep homes and vehicles smoke-free.
  • Seek help through:
    • Your primary care provider (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
    • Michigan Tobacco Quitline and local cessation programs
    • Grand Rapids Public Health and Kent County Health Department resources

2. Practice Safe Workplace Habits

If your job or hobbies involve cadmium in the Grand Rapids area:

  • Always use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators, gloves, and protective clothing as required.
  • Follow all MIOSHA and employer safety procedures.
  • Use proper ventilation and dust control systems.
  • Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking at work.
  • Do not bring contaminated clothing or equipment home.
  • Consider having your cadmium levels checked regularly by your doctor if you work in a high-risk industry.

3. Make Healthy Food Choices

  • Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
  • Consume shellfish and organ meats (kidneys, liver) in moderation, as they can contain higher cadmium levels.
  • Follow Michigan fish consumption advisories, especially for fish caught in the Great Lakes and local rivers around Grand Rapids.

4. Handle Batteries and Electronics Safely

  • Common alkaline batteries do not contain cadmium.

  • Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable batteries used in some:

    • Older mobile phones
    • Cordless tools
    • Laptops
    • Digital cameras and electronics

    do contain cadmium.

To reduce environmental contamination and personal exposure:

  • Do not throw Ni-Cd batteries in regular household trash.
  • Use approved battery and e-waste recycling programs in Grand Rapids and Kent County.
  • Check with:
    • Local municipal recycling centers
    • Electronics retailers with take-back programs
    • Kent County Department of Public Works for hazardous waste collection events

Proper disposal helps keep cadmium out of Michigan landfills, soil, and water.

Local Resources for Cadmium and Environmental Health in Grand Rapids

If you have concerns about cadmium exposure at home, work, or in your community, you can contact:

  • Your doctor or primary care clinic

    • Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health
    • Ask for evaluation of possible heavy metal exposure and appropriate testing

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Information on environmental health, air quality, and local advisories

  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids Environmental Services

    • Guidance on local environmental concerns, indoor air quality, and waste disposal

  • Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)

    • For workplace safety concerns related to cadmium exposure

  • Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

    • Information on environmental impacts, industrial emissions, and hazardous waste disposal in the Grand Rapids area

Key Points to Remember

  • Most Grand Rapids residents are not exposed to cadmium at levels high enough to cause health problems.
  • Inhalation is the main route of exposure for workers in industries that use or process cadmium.
  • Smoking and secondhand smoke are major cadmium sources for the general public.
  • Long-term exposure can damage the kidneys, lungs, and bones.
  • Large amounts of cadmium can damage the kidneys, liver, and heart, and can be fatal in severe cases.
  • Blood and urine tests can measure cadmium in the body; there is no specific antidote, but reducing further exposure and getting supportive medical care are critical.
  • Safe workplace practices, smoke-free environments, healthy food choices, and proper battery disposal all help reduce cadmium risk in Grand Rapids, Michigan.