Is Cadmium chloride safe for babies and kids?
Elevated risk for kidsInfants are extremely vulnerable to Cadmium chloride due to immature blood-brain barrier, higher gastrointestinal absorption rates (40-50% vs 3-10% in adults), and rapidly developing neurology. Even trace exposure can cause irreversible neurodevelopmental harm.
What is cadmium chloride?
The IUPAC name is dichlorocadmium.
Also known as: dichlorocadmium, Cadmium dichloride, Caddy, VI-Cad.
- IUPAC name
- dichlorocadmium
- CAS number
- 10108-64-2
- Molecular formula
- CdCl2
- Molecular weight
- 183.32 g/mol
- SMILES
- Cl[Cd]Cl
- PubChem CID
- 24947
Risk for babies
Elevated riskInfants are extremely vulnerable to Cadmium chloride due to immature blood-brain barrier, higher gastrointestinal absorption rates (40-50% vs 3-10% in adults), and rapidly developing neurology. Even trace exposure can cause irreversible neurodevelopmental harm.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Severe riskPregnancy increases vulnerability to Cadmium chloride. Heavy metals cross the placenta, accumulate in fetal tissue, and interfere with neurodevelopment. Maternal bone resorption during pregnancy mobilizes stored metals.
Known reproductive toxicant (GHS H360) or confirmed endocrine disruptor. Placental transfer is presumed. Fetal exposure during critical developmental windows may cause structural malformations, growth restriction, or functional deficits.
Regulatory consensus
3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Cadmium chloride. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 2012 | Group 1 — Cadmium and cadmium compounds are carcinogenic to humans (IARC Monograph Volume 58, 1993; Volume 100C, 2012); cadmium chloride is the most commonly used soluble cadmium salt in research and is representative of ionic Cd²⁺ carcinogenicity; lung cancer causation established in cadmium workers; prostate cancer evidence limited/probable | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 15 positive / 6 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 15 positive / 6 negative reports) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter cadmium chloride
- Contaminated Water — Mining site runoff, Industrial discharge areas, Drinking water from old infrastructure
- Soil Contamination — Industrial sites, Smelter areas, Battery recycling facilities
- Food Chain — Fish from contaminated waters, Shellfish from polluted areas, Crops grown in contaminated soil
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Cadmium chloride:
-
Exposure reduction (no chemical substitute)
Trade-offs: Exposure reduction does not eliminate the hazard but lowers risk to acceptable levels when alternatives are not available or practical. Requires ongoing monitoring and compliance.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is cadmium chloride safe for kids?
Infants are extremely vulnerable to Cadmium chloride due to immature blood-brain barrier, higher gastrointestinal absorption rates (40-50% vs 3-10% in adults), and rapidly developing neurology. Even trace exposure can cause irreversible neurodevelopmental harm.
What products contain cadmium chloride?
Cadmium chloride appears in: Mining site runoff (Contaminated water); Industrial discharge areas (Contaminated water); Industrial sites (Soil contamination); Smelter areas (Soil contamination); Fish from contaminated waters (Food chain).
What should I do if my child is exposed to cadmium chloride?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
Why do regulators disagree about cadmium chloride?
Cadmium chloride has been classified by 3 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Cadmium chloride in the baby app
Look up products containing cadmium chloride, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- IARC Group 1 Cadmium Compounds Vol 58 1993 Vol 100C 2012; Lung Cancer Kidney Tubular Dysfunction Itai-Itai Osteomalacia Toyama; Metallothionein Cd Renal Accumulation Beta-2-Microglobulin Biomarker; DNA Repair Zinc Finger hMSH2 hMLH1 Inactivation; Metalloestrogen ERα Estrogen Receptor; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1027 Cadmium Standard Biological Monitoring; EFSA 2009 TWI 2.5 μg/kg bw/week Dietary; EU REACH Restriction Cadmium Plating Pigments PVC Stabilizers; WFD Priority Hazardous Substance EQS 0.08–0.25 μg/L (2012) — regulatory
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →