Current Regulatory Status of Cadmium Pigments

Abstract

This article presents a review of the present federal regulatory situation for a group of materials having particular interest for colorists: the cadmium sulfoselenide pigments. In recent years, use of cadmium has been subject to criticism based on adverse health effects. Accordingly, government has responded, as it has generally to human health and environmental concerns, with a proliferation of regulatory activity. Policies, programs, and rules of the FDA, EPA, and OSHA covering cadmium pigments are reviewed with respect to both current status and near‐term future outlook. Although cadmiums have been and will continue to be caught up in a great many proposals for regulation, the actual level of rules in effect, at least up to the present, has been relatively modest.