Releases of Cadmium to Water
Cadmium (Cd) is a naturally occurring metal used in batteries and in electroplating to protect other metals from corrosion. Cadmium can be released directly to water from human activities like production of pulp and paper and processing of metals, and from wastewater treatment plants.
Exposure to Cd can be hazardous to both humans and wildlife. Inorganic cadmium compounds are listed as toxic[1] according to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).
In 2011, 2739 kilograms (kg) of Cd were released to water, an increase of 3% (69 kg) from the 2010 level and a decrease of 45% (2206 kg) from 2003, the baseline year of our time series. Wastewater treatment plants contributed the most to the decrease observed between 2003 and 2011.
Releases of cadmium to water, Canada, 2003 to 2011
View data for this chart
How this indicator was calculated
Note: The indicator only includes the kilograms of Cd, including that released in substances containing Cd, reported in the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) based on the NPRI reporting criteria for releases of Cd and its compounds. As a result, the Cd releases represent only a portion of the releases of this toxic pollutant to water in Canada.
Source: Environment Canada (2013) National Pollutant Release Inventory Online Data Search - Facility Reported Data.
Sources of releases of cadmium to water
Water, sewage and other systems were responsible for 50% (1356 kg) of the total Cd released (2739 kg) to water in 2011. The second-largest proportion of the national release came from pulp, paper and paperboard mills, representing 28% (766 kg) of the total. The non‑ferrous production and processing (excluding aluminum) industry ranked third, with 12% (321 kg) of total Cd releases.
Releases of cadmium to water by source, Canada, 2011
View data for this chart
How this indicator was calculated
Note: The indicator only includes the kilograms of Cd, including that released in substances containing Cd, reported in the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) based on the NPRI reporting criteria for releases of Cd and its compounds. As a result, the Cd releases represent only a portion of the releases of this toxic pollutant to water in Canada.Categories follow the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), except “Other Sources,” which represents a group of sources for which releases are not individually mentioned in this chart.
Source: Environment Canada (2013) National Pollutant Release Inventory Online Data Search - Facility Reported Data.
Releases of cadmium to water by province and territory
Facilities in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec accounted for most of the cadmium released to water in 2011. They represented 35%, 24% and 21% (947 kg, 654 kg and 584 kg), respectively, of the reported national total (2739 kg). Wastewater treatment plants and pulp, paper and paperboard mills were responsible for releasing the majority of the Cd in these provinces.
Releases of cadmium to water by province and territory*, Canada, 2011
View data for this chart
How this indicator was calculated
Note: The indicator only includes the kilograms of Cd, including that released in substances containing Cd, reported in the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) based on the NPRI reporting criteria for releases of Cd and its compounds. As a result, the Cd releases represent only a portion of the releases of this toxic pollutant to water in Canada.
*No facilities in the Northwest Territories or Yukon reported releases of Cd to the NPRI in 2011.
Source: Environment Canada (2013) National Pollutant Release Inventory Online Data Search - Facility Reported Data.
Related indicators
Other information
[1] Section 64 of CEPA 1999 defines a substance as toxic if it is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity, b) constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends, or c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
- Date Modified: