Cadmium - dangerous, but necessary!

Cadmium - dangerous, but necessary!
By: Stuart Avig

There are only a hand full of precious metal refineries, in the world, that will refine electrical contacts for the silver content that contain the element cadmium.

Cadmium is a metallic element that can be easily distinguished by its' bluish white color. It is utilized in the manufacturing of fusible alloys, in electroplating, and in the control of atomic fission which is the breaking apart of the division of cells.

However although cadmium is a very necessary element used in many industries it is also extremely hazardous to ones health, if not handled properly, In more specific terms cadmium contains a substance which is a carcinogenic (cancer causing).

In addition to doing an assay on the electrical contacts to determine whether cadmium is contained in the metal there is a very distinctive appearance of the element being present during the smelting process of which a brownish-orange smoke like cast is given off.

When selecting a precious metal refinery, make sure that the company is reputable and has experience in extracting & disposing of the cadmium and other hazardous elements while processing your material for the maximum precious metal recovery.