Cadmium connects environmental releases to human health through what happens in soil and food. Even where atmospheric emissions have dropped, cadmium can persist near zinc mining, move into waterways through industrial wastewater, and bioaccumulate in crops like rice. On this page, you’ll see how measured levels—from exposure to kidney and bone effects—vary by region and how today’s demand shapes exposure and policy.
Key Takeaways
- Atmospheric cadmium emissions from smelters decreased by 90% in Europe since 1990.
- Soil cadmium levels exceed 3 mg/kg in 20% of agricultural lands near zinc mines in China.
- Global cadmium river discharge is 1,500 tonnes annually from industrial wastewater.
- Human cadmium exposure via food averages 10 micrograms per day in non-smokers.
- Cadmium nephropathy affects 5% of population in Itai-itai disease endemic areas in Japan.
- Blood cadmium levels above 5 micrograms/L increase osteoporosis risk by 2-fold.
- Average global cadmium price was $2,100 per metric ton in 2022.
- Cadmium market size projected to reach $12.5 billion by 2028 at 5.2% CAGR.
- U.S. cadmium imports totaled 250 metric tons in 2022 valued at $0.5 million.
- Global cadmium production reached 25,400 metric tons in 2022, primarily as a byproduct of zinc mining.
- China accounted for 31% of world cadmium production in 2022 with 7,900 metric tons output.
- Korea produced 5,600 metric tons of cadmium in 2022, representing 22% of global supply.
- Cadmium demand in Ni-Cd batteries consumed 40% of global supply in 2020.
- Pigments and stabilizers used 23% of cadmium production in 2022 for plastics and paints.
- Cadmium coatings for steel fasteners accounted for 15% of usage in industrial applications.
Even as emissions fall, cadmium still burdens soils and health, while demand and prices keep rising.
Related reading
01 · Category
Environmental Impact27 stats
01
Atmospheric cadmium emissions from smelters decreased by 90% in Europe since 1990.
02
Soil cadmium levels exceed 3 mg/kg in 20% of agricultural lands near zinc mines in China.
03
Global cadmium river discharge is 1,500 tonnes annually from industrial wastewater.
04
Cadmium bioaccumulation in rice grains reaches 0.4 mg/kg in contaminated paddies in Japan.
05
Ocean cadmium concentrations average 0.1 micrograms per liter in surface waters.
06
Cadmium deposition from air pollution affects 15% of European forest soils above critical limits.
07
Mining activities release 70% of cadmium into groundwater in Peru's central Andes.
08
Cadmium recycling rates from batteries reach 95% in EU member states.
09
Phytoremediation plants accumulate up to 1% cadmium dry weight in hyperaccumulators.
10
Cadmium levels in Arctic ice cores show 50% decline since 1980s due to regulations.
11
Sediment cadmium concentrations in Baltic Sea average 0.5 mg/kg dry weight.
12
Cadmium uptake by shellfish reaches 2 mg/kg in polluted coastal areas.
13
Air cadmium PM2.5 levels in Chinese cities average 5 ng/m³ annually.
14
40% of cadmium emissions from coal combustion in developing nations.
15
Remediation costs for cadmium soil cleanup average $500,000per hectare.
16
Cadmium half-life in soil is 15-30 years under neutral pH conditions.
17
Antarctic krill cadmium levels at 0.05 micrograms/g wet weight baseline.
18
EU cadmium release to water decreased 75% from 1990-2020.
19
Cadmium vapor pressure at 300°C is 0.1 torr in smelting processes.
20
Groundwater cadmium in Bangladesh rice fields averages 0.02 mg/L.
21
Cadmium in tea leaves from China mines up to 1.2 mg/kg.
22
Volcanic ash deposits 0.1-1 mg/kg cadmium in Hawaiian soils.
23
Fertilizer phosphate rock contains 10-50 mg/kg cadmium globally.
24
Bioavailability of soil Cd 20% to wheat roots at pH 6.5.
25
Amazon River basin cadmium flux 200 tonnes/year from mining.
26
Urban dust cadmium loading 50 micrograms/m²/year in Mumbai.
27
Biogas digestate reduces cadmium mobility by 60% in manure.
Interpretation
Environmental Impact Interpretation
Environmental impacts from cadmium are easing in parts of Europe, with smelter emissions down 90% since 1990, yet significant contamination persists globally as shown by 1,500 tonnes of annual river discharge and high risks such as 20% of farmland near zinc mines in China exceeding 3 mg/kg in soil.
02 · Category
Health Effects24 stats
01
Human cadmium exposure via food averages 10 micrograms per day in non-smokers.
02
Cadmium nephropathy affects 5% of population in Itai-itai disease endemic areas in Japan.
03
Blood cadmium levels above 5 micrograms/L increase osteoporosis risk by 2-fold.
04
Lung cancer odds ratio is 1.4 for workers with >10 years cadmium exposure.
05
Urinary cadmium >2 micrograms/g creatinine correlates with 30% reduced kidney function.
06
Pregnant women with high cadmium exposure show 15% higher preterm birth rates.
07
Smokers have 4-5 times higher cadmium body burden than non-smokers.
08
Prostate cancer risk increases 1.5-fold at cadmium concentrations >0.3 micrograms/g in prostate tissue.
09
Children in contaminated areas have 20% higher cadmium in deciduous teeth.
10
Cadmium-induced hypertension risk doubles at blood levels >3 micrograms/L.
11
Breast milk cadmium averages 0.3 micrograms/L in urban populations.
12
Occupational limit TLV 0.01 mg/m³ for cadmium oxide fume exposure.
13
DNA methylation changes linked to 10-year cadmium exposure in smelters.
14
Endometrial cancer OR 2.1 for postmenopausal women high urinary Cd.
15
Foetal growth restriction 12% higher with maternal cadmium >1 microgram/L blood.
16
NOAEL for oral cadmium intake is 0.01 mg/kg body weight per day.
17
Proteinuria onset at urinary beta2-microglobulin >300 micrograms/g Cr from Cd.
18
Bone density loss 1.2% per doubling of urinary cadmium in women.
19
Hair cadmium >1 microgram/g indicates chronic environmental exposure.
20
IARC classifies cadmium as Group 1 carcinogen since 1993.
21
Cardiovascular mortality HR 1.3 for highest cadmium quartile exposure.
22
Autism spectrum traits correlate with cord blood Cd >0.5 micrograms/L.
23
Chelation therapy with DMSA reduces blood Cd by 50% in acute poisoning.
24
TDI for cadmium set at 2.5 micrograms/kg bw/day by JECFA.
Interpretation
Health Effects Interpretation
Under the Health Effects category, cadmium exposure is linked to substantial health risks including nephropathy affecting 5% of people in Itai-itai endemic areas and nearly doubling osteoporosis risk when blood levels exceed 5 micrograms per liter.
03 · Category
Market And Economic Data25 stats
01
Average global cadmium price was $2,100per metric ton in 2022.
02
Cadmium market size projected to reach $12.5 billion by 2028 at 5.2% CAGR.
03
U.S. cadmium imports totaled 250 metric tons in 2022 valued at $0.5 million.
04
London Metal Exchange cadmium contract averaged $2,300/tonne in Q4 2022.
05
Asia-Pacific holds 55% share of global cadmium market revenue in 2023.
06
Battery segment accounted for 42% of cadmium market revenue in 2022.
07
Cadmium export value from China reached $150 million in 2022.
08
Recycling contributes 20% to cadmium supply, valued at $100 million annually.
09
Pigment grade cadmium sulfide prices rose 15% to $15/kg in 2023.
10
Global cadmium market CAGR 4.8% from 2023-2030 driven by solar.
11
Japan imported 1,500 tonnes cadmium in 2022 at $3.2 million value.
12
CdTe module production costs fell to $0.25/Wp in 2023.
13
Secondary cadmium market from recycling grew 5% YoY in 2022.
14
High purity 99.99% cadmium ingot traded at $4,500/tonne in 2023.
15
North America cadmium demand 2,000 tonnes/year for alloys and plating.
16
Battery recycling recovers $80 million cadmium value annually in Europe.
17
Forecast cadmium price $2,500/tonne average 2024 due to supply constraints.
18
Europe cadmium market $1.2 billion in 2022 led by Germany.
19
U.S. apparent consumption 300 tonnes cadmium in 2022.
20
Shanghai cadmium futures peaked at RMB 18,000/tonne in 2023.
21
Alloys segment 28% cadmium market share by application 2023.
22
South Korea exports $50 million cadmium annually to Japan.
23
Plating grade cadmium premium $500/tonne over standard in 2023.
24
Global trade volume 15,000 tonnes cadmium yearly.
25
Battery grade cadmium purity 99.95% sells at $2,800/tonne.
Interpretation
Market And Economic Data Interpretation
In the market and economic data for cadmium, prices and demand signals point to steady growth with an average global price of $2,100 per metric ton in 2022 and a projected market reaching $12.5 billion by 2028 at a 5.2% CAGR.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production Statistics26 stats
01
Global cadmium production reached 25,400 metric tons in 2022, primarily as a byproduct of zinc mining.
02
China accounted for 31% of world cadmium production in 2022 with 7,900 metric tons output.
03
Korea produced 5,600 metric tons of cadmium in 2022, representing 22% of global supply.
04
World cadmium reserves are estimated at 610,000 metric tons as of 2023.
05
Mexico's cadmium production was 1,800 metric tons in 2022 from polymetallic ore processing.
06
Peru contributed 1,600 metric tons to global cadmium output in 2022.
07
Cadmium recovery from zinc smelters yields about 95% of total production worldwide.
08
U.S. cadmium production in 2022 was minimal at under 100 metric tons domestically.
09
Global cadmium mine production grew by 3% from 2021 to 2022.
10
Australia produced 1,200 metric tons of cadmium in 2022 from zinc concentrates.
11
Cadmium production costs average $1,800per tonne for zinc byproduct recovery.
12
India produced 900 metric tons of cadmium in 2022 from imported concentrates.
13
Belgium refined 4,200 metric tons of cadmium in 2022 as secondary producer.
14
World zinc mine output correlates with 80% of cadmium supply variations.
15
Namibia's Rosh Pinah mine yields 300 tonnes cadmium annually.
16
Sweden's Zinkgruvan mine produces 400 metric tons cadmium per year.
17
Global cadmium apparent consumption was 26,000 tonnes in 2022.
18
Thailand smelted 1,100 metric tons cadmium from zinc in 2022.
19
Vietnam produced 700 metric tons cadmium in 2022 from zinc.
20
Canada refined 800 tonnes cadmium secondary in 2022.
21
Rampura Agucha mine in India yields 500 tonnes Cd/year.
22
Global sub reserves for cadmium estimated 3 million tonnes.
23
Ireland's Tara mine output 250 tonnes cadmium annually.
24
Poland ZGH Bolesław smelter produces 1,000 tonnes Cd/year.
25
Recovery efficiency from lead smelters averages 5% cadmium yield.
26
Myanmar output 400 tonnes cadmium from zinc in 2022.
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
Production statistics show that global cadmium output totaled 25,400 metric tons in 2022, with China alone supplying 7,900 metric tons or 31 percent, underscoring how concentrated production remains in a few countries.
05 · Category
Usage Statistics27 stats
01
Cadmium demand in Ni-Cd batteries consumed 40% of global supply in 2020.
02
Pigments and stabilizers used 23% of cadmium production in 2022 for plastics and paints.
03
Cadmium coatings for steel fasteners accounted for 15% of usage in industrial applications.
04
Electronics sector utilized 12% of cadmium in 2022 for semiconductors and solders.
05
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar cells represented 5% of photovoltaic production in 2023.
06
Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries still hold 8% market share in cordless power tools globally.
07
Cadmium yellow pigments are used in 20% of high-performance automotive coatings.
08
Cadmium oxide is applied in 30% of phosphors for fluorescent lamps production.
09
Electroplating with cadmium covers 10% of aerospace components for corrosion resistance.
10
Cadmium sulfide used in 15% of photoresistors and photodetectors in sensors.
11
Ni-Cd batteries global production used 10,000 tonnes cadmium in 2021.
12
Cadmium in PVC stabilizers phased out 80% in EU by 2022.
13
CdTe solar panels produced 12 GW capacity in 2023 using 400 tonnes Cd.
14
Cadmium plating thickness standards at 5-12 microns for military specs.
15
25% of global cadmium used in alloys for bearings and low-melt solders.
16
Cadmium red pigments comprise 10% of artist oil paints high-opacity colors.
17
TVs and displays used 2% cadmium in quantum dots for LCD backlights in 2022.
18
Cadmium wire for welding electrodes in Ni-Cd battery assembly at 500 tonnes/year.
19
Industrial catalysts employ cadmium selenide in 5% of photocatalysis processes.
20
NiMH batteries replacing NiCd reduced cadmium use by 20% since 2015.
21
Cadmium in stabilizers for engineering plastics at 2,000 tonnes/year EU legacy.
22
First Solar produced 25 GW CdTe panels cumulatively by 2023 using 800 tonnes Cd.
23
QQ-P-416F standard for cadmium plating in US defense at 8 microns min.
24
Cadmium-copper brazing alloys used in 15% refrigeration heat exchangers.
25
Cadmium lithopone pigments in 5% printing inks for durability.
26
LEDs with cadmium phosphors 3% market in high-CRI lighting.
27
Cadmium mercury telluride detectors in 40% infrared military sensors.
Interpretation
Usage Statistics Interpretation
In the usage statistics for cadmium, the picture is clear that batteries dominate demand with Ni-Cd consuming 40% of global supply in 2020 while other sectors like plastics and paints at 23% and industrial coatings and electronics together remain meaningful but smaller shares.
report visual · Comparison
Europe cadmium releases have fallen since 1990
Cadmium releases to the environment in Europe declined sharply from 1990 to 2020, driven by regulations and emissions control.
Atmospheric cadmium emissions from smelters decreased by 90% in Europe since 1990.90%
EU cadmium release to water decreased 75% from 1990-2020.
75%
Soil cadmium levels exceed 3 mg/kg in 20% of agricultural lands near zinc mines in China.
20%
Reference
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APA
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Cad Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cad-statistics
MLA
Timothy Grant. "Cad Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/cad-statistics.
Chicago
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Cad Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cad-statistics.
Sources & references
84 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level