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MSDS for Cadmium plated components

Has anyone got a MSDS for cadmium plated and chromate passivated components. We have been asked by a subcontractor who is assembling Cd plated items for information on the hazards associated with them.

Chris Evans
Principal Materials and Processes Engineer - Bolton, Lancs, England
2003

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The MSDS should be supplied by the company supplying the cadmium and chromated articles. If that company is yourselves, I would suggest you will have to prepare your own MSDS. This may, of course, be quite difficult if you don't know much about the hazards. If this is the case, I would suggest you start by finding out what cadmium metal can do to you under different conditions. Similarly, find out what hexavalent chromium compounds (chromates or dichromates) can do. All this data should be available in standard H&S toxicology books such as Sax. Alternatively, you may be able to get a consultant to prepare MSDSs for you, but be careful, as wrong or misleading information could lead to you getting into a lot of trouble.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2003

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Hi Chris. For background information you might see if you can find a copy of Leone, G. L., Lewis, B. W., and Morikawa, D., (1986). "Using Cadmium Safely: A Guide for the Workplace," The Cadmium Council, Inc., New York, NY as it covers the whole subject in depth. If you can't find a copy you might try contacting ICdA (The International Cadmium Association) at www.cadmium.org. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
June 2013