What are the major uses of cadmium?

Cadmium occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust. However, cadmium is a poison and is known to cause cancer and even birth defects. One of the major uses of cadmium is to make rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries. Though there was a steep rise in the use of these batteries over the past few decades, it is being gradually phased out.

Cadmium is used to make specialist alloys. Compounds of cadmium are used to colour paints and ceramic. It is also used as stabilizers that prevent plastics from becoming brittle, and for television and computer screens.

Cadmium is also used as coatings to protect metals such as iron and steel. Metal parts coated with cadmium slide over each other easily; therefore, some parts of cars and aircraft are cadmium coated.

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