TOPIC 13: Cadmium in fertilizers/peanuts: Oz

Cadmium is a naturally occurring mineral which can cause kidney damage if large amounts are eaten.It is used in phosphate fertilizers used by farmers today and the high cadmium levels are absorbed by the crops(peanuts).In 2003 the European Commission launched a consultation on a 15-year programme to reduce the cadmium cAn initial limit of 60mg of cadmium per kilogram of phosphorus pentoxide would take effect after five years. This would be cut to 40mg/kg after a further five years, and finally to 20mg/kg after another five. ontent of phosphate fertilisers.In Australia before 1998 cadmium levels were unmonitored and now the maximum permitted level of cadmium has reduced from 0.5mg/kg to 0.05 mg/kg.
conclusion: cadmium is a very dangerous mineral that would cause our kidneys to be damaged if consumed in a large amount over a long period of time.The use of chemical fertilizers is the cause of this and if enough research had been done on the fertilizer to ensure that they do not contain dangerous chemicals that would harm our environment this would not have happened. Now with the imposed cadmium levels, consumers of peanuts are safe.