1 Cadmium is a soft, malleable metal that is found in the earth's crust. Cadmium emissions can originate from several anthropogenic sources from the burning of fossil fuels or trash, smoking cigarettes, pesticides, or manufacturing activities. As it is naturally found in the earth, it obviously can be found naturally. Natural sources of cadmium include the weathering of rocks to volcanoes and forest fires to certain foods (Lenntech, 2011).

Health effects of cadmium are wide-ranged. Acute effects can result in bronchial and pulmonary irritation, which can be long-term. Chronic effects include frequent formation of kidney stones, emphysema, and damage to vital organs and nervous systems (EPA, 2007). Accumulations of cadmium in the kidneys can be responsible for severe kidney damage, which will persist because it takes quite some time for cadmium to be excreted (Lenntech, 2011). While there is not enough information to conclude that cancer can be caused by cadmium exposure, it is believed that those regularly inhaling cadmium emissions will be at a higher risk for carcinogenic formations.

Environmental effects of cadmium can be found in the soil, water, and air. Soil is exposed to cadmium because of artificial phosphate fertilizers and pesticides that are utilized in agricultural areas. As earthworms ingest soil, they become at risk for concentrations of cadmium. If they are exposed, and then die, not only will the soil be affected, but the plants that are in that soil will be affected, also affecting the food web as a whole (Lenntech, 2011). Water can be contaminated with cadmium via runoff and the air is polluted via anthropogenic emissions.

There are ways to reduce the effects of cadmium. They include not smoking, not burning municipal trash, reduction in the burning of fossil fuels, and higher safety standards at plants/factories where cadmium emissions are produced
2 That was a great and descriptive post about cadmium. I had no idea that cadmium could be produced from the burning of cigarettes. It seems to always come down the way to improve our air quality is to reduce the burning of fossil fuels. I would assume cadmium emissions to be higher during the summer months compared to other times of the year, or least hot days than coller days. The air during that time seems to be stagnant.
3 There have been reports of Cadmium found in McDonalds shrek glasses, kids jewelry, and items used to create protein drinks. The health affects on the kidneys will cause them to work harder. This target organ of the kidney is a vital organ that processes the heavy metal. Belive it or not, in some area, earth worms are an invasive species. The species are not native, but have been in area for many years. The cadmium in the soil and then absorbed in earthworms will still change the food web. Contaminated soil has to be disposed of properly. The metal is used in batteries as well. The cadmium found in batteries can ignite when not used properly. Using the wrong charger, or exposing them to heat will release the toxic metal in the atmosphere. One exposed, the material, cadmium will cause a health issue.
4 Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. ("Volatile Organic Compounds (vocs)", 2012). Volatile organic compounds are released from burning fuel, such as gasoline, wood, coal, or natural gas. They are also released from solvents, paints, glues, and other products that are used and stored at home and at work.
Many volatile organic compounds are also hazardous air pollutants. Volatile organic compounds, when combined with nitrogen oxides, react to form ground-level ozone, or smog, which contributes to climate change. ("Volatile Organic Compounds (vocs) ", 2012). VOC’s are usually classified as having a high vapor pressure that vaporizes entering the atmosphere. The organic compounds are classified according to their functional group. There are four major types of compounds found in all living organisms - carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. These molecules form long chains of similar subunits or polymers. They are very large molecules and therefore called macromolecules. The subunits of polymers are called monomers.
5 Volatile organic compounds are extremely flammable. VOC's are found in a lot of household products as well. These chemicals should be stored in a properly cabinet to help reduce the risk of vapors being emitted in to the air, or catching on fire. VOC's can be found in ground water, but not usually in surface water because it evaporates so quickly. Volatile organic compounds in the drinking water higher that the EPA standard can lead to problems with the central nervous system, the kidneys or the liver. The target organ of the liver and kidneys are expected because they are filters for the body. Knowing the side affects of the chemicals, especially since they are household products, is important to keep a person safe.
6 Thanks for the response and you are absolutely right, there are many household VOC's, like paint thinner and some other cleaning products. The interesting thing is that those products can be purchased with no regulation on the amount in one particular household but within a business it needs to be reported. Although the quantity in which the VOC is packaged is less, the total volume should always be of concern.
7 Volatile organic compounds or VOC's, are organic chemicals that contain carbon. Volatile organic compounds are created both by humans and plants. Any material that contains carbon is considered organic. The volatile part of VOC's is because the chemical will evaporate quickly. VOC's are chemicals with a high pressure vapor at room temperature. The chemicals can be solvents aerosols, and fuels. These chemicals evaporate readily into the air, which is the major trait of volatile organic compounds. Most if the VOC's have a boiling point at or below 250 degrees. VOC's are a part of aril pollution that can cause damage to the environment and humans. Some Indoor pollution is caused by VOC's. It can lead to sick building syndrome, with symptoms of headache and fatigue. New carpet, paint, and formaldehyde contain VOC's which also can contribute to the sickness. There are some indoor plants that will emit large amounts of VOC's which will lead to building sickness. The longer a person is exposed to VOC's the greater the negative health affects are to the humans. There are four major types of compounds found in all living organisms - carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Most states have put a limit on how many VOC's a company can discharge to the air.
8 Nickel occurs naturally in the earth's crust. It is found in all soil, and is also emitted from volcanoes. The metal is form with other material ans is used in nickel plating and is associated with some batteries. Nickel can be released into the atmosphere by oil-burning power plants, coal-burning power plants, and trash incinerators. The nickel that is released into the environment settles in soil where it strongly attaches to iron or manganese. If the soil is acidic, the heavy metal has a good possibility to seep into groundwater. Nickel does not appear to concentrate in fish. There has been some plants that can take up and accumulate nickel. In humans, nickel can enter the body through inhaling, ingesting or absorption through the skin. The most common health affect of nickel is a rash on the skin. Jewelry is the way the skin comes in contact with the nickel. Ingesting water that contains nickel may lead to stomach aches. Nickel that enters the lungs can lead to chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and cancer of the lung and nasal sinus. The people who have experienced this are those who breathed the dust containing certain nickel compounds while working in nickel refineries. The amount those people have taken in are 100,000 to 1 million times greater than the usual level of nickel in the air in the United States. There are no know nickel mines in operation in the United States.