Cadmium is a grey-white, soft, blue-white malleable, lustrous metal. It is insoluble in
cold water, hot water, methanol, diethyl ether, and n-octanol. It is stable and incompatible
with strong oxidising agents, nitrates, nitric acid, selenium, and zinc, and the powdered
metal may be pyrophoric and flammable. Cadmium is associated with occupations such
as industrial processes, metal plating, and production of nickel– cadmium batteries,
pigments, plastics, and other synthetics. Cadmium metal is produced as a by-product
from the extraction, smelting, and refining of the non-ferrous metals zinc, lead, and
copper. In view of the unique properties, cadmium metal and cadmium compounds are
used as pigments, stabilisers, coatings, specialty alloys, and electronic compounds.
