1. CADMIUM

9. TOXICITY

13. Cadmium and several cadmium-containing compounds are known carcinogens and can induce many types of cancer. The mechanism of cadmium toxicity has not been established. One possible reason for its toxicity is that it interferes with the action of zinc-containing enzymes. TOXICITY

15. PRECAUTIONS While working with cadmium it is important to do so under a fume hood or with the use of an appropriate respirator to protect against dangerous fumes. Solder, for example, which may contain cadmium, should be handled with care.

19. ISOTOPES All of the remaining radioactive isotopes have half-lives that are less than 2.5 hours and the majority of these have half-lives that are less than 5 minutes. This element also has 8 known meta states with the most stable being 113mCd (t½ 14.1 years), 115mCd (t½ 44.6 days) and 117mCd (t½ 3.36 hours).