cadmium oxide

Cadmium oxide (CdO) is a brown powder produced by burning cadmium vapor in air. It serves as a convenient starting material for creating most other cadmium salts. Cadmium itself is a rare, silver-white metal discovered in 1817. It is soft, can be rolled into sheets, and melts at a relatively low temperature. Cadmium is primarily obtained as a byproduct of zinc ore processing.1

Cadmium compounds can be toxic. Ingestion can cause nausea and vomiting, while inhaling cadmium fumes can lead to severe lung inflammation and potentially be fatal. Chronic exposure can result in a loss of smell, breathing difficulties, and damage to the liver and kidneys.2

Other notable cadmium compounds include cadmium sulfide (CdS), a bright yellow pigment known as cadmium yellow, and cadmium selenide (CdSe), used to create pigments ranging from yellow to red. Cadmium sulfate (CdSO₄) is another compound, typically appearing as a colorless salt.13