Cadmium determination

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal belonging to the same family as zinc and mercury. Naturally present in the Earth's crust, it can accumulate in the environment as a result of industrial activities such as metallurgy, battery manufacturing, pigment production, and waste incineration.
In consumer products, cadmium is considered highly toxic, even at low concentrations. It poses risks to human health, including nephrotoxic, bone-damaging, and carcinogenic effects, and is highly persistent in the body.

For these reasons, its measurement is among the priority regulatory controls in many sectors, including food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and the environment.

Why measure cadmium levels?

Cadmium measurement is essential for:

• Ensure regulatory compliance according to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 which sets the maximum permitted levels in foodstuffs.
• Assess the environmental contamination of soils, water and plants due to industrial pollution.
• Control the safety of cosmetic products and food supplements, particularly those based on algae, medicinal plants or mineral powders.
• Preventing the risks of chronic exposure, particularly in food chains or plant-based products grown on contaminated soils.
• To ensure the conformity of agricultural products and exports, according to the requirements of European and international health authorities.

The presence of cadmium above regulatory thresholds may lead to product withdrawal, regulatory non-compliance, or a ban on placing on the market.

Analytical methods used

At YesWeLab , cadmium analysis is carried out using highly sensitive atomic spectrometry techniques, allowing detection at trace levels in all matrices (solids, liquids, organic or mineral).

ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)
is the reference method for the ultra-trace detection of cadmium , with quantification limits on the order of nanograms per liter . It allows for simultaneous multi-element analysis (cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, nickel, etc.) and offers maximum precision for food products, supplements, or water.

ICP-OES (or ICP-AES – inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry)
Used for medium to high concentrations of metals, this technique is particularly suited to solid materials, soils and industrial samples .

AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy)
is an alternative or complementary method recommended for targeted analyses of a single element. It allows for reliable measurement of cadmium content in food, cosmetic products, or aqueous solutions.

These methods comply with international standards ISO 11885 , NF EN 15763 , NF EN ISO 17294 and AOAC , ensuring perfect comparability of results between laboratories.

Industrial applications

Cadmium testing is relevant to several sectors:

Human food and nutraceuticals:
Monitoring of cadmium levels in cereals, vegetables, algae, seafood, food supplements, and plant powders. Analysis is essential to ensure compliance with the limits set by European regulations.

Animal nutrition:
Verification of cadmium content in raw materials for animal feed, including fishmeal, mineral phosphates or additives of plant origin.

Cosmetics and hygiene
Control of cadmium in pigments, clays, muds, mineral powders and makeup products, in order to ensure compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

Environment and agricultural soils:
Assessment of contamination of soils, surface water, sediments, or fertilizers. These measures help prevent bioaccumulation in the food chain and monitor industrial impacts.

Analyzed matrices

• Cereals, vegetables, fruits and algae
• Drinking water, surface water and effluents
• Dietary supplements and plant-based powders
• Cosmetics, pigments and mineral products
• Agricultural soils, fertilizers and sewage sludge

Recommended Related Analyses

For a comprehensive assessment of the metal profile and product safety, YesWeLab recommends combining cadmium testing with:
Lead (Pb) testing to identify industrial cross-contamination;
Mercury (Hg) testing for monitoring heavy metals in food and cosmetics;
Arsenic (As) testing for toxicological analyses of plant and aquatic matrices;
and Nickel (Ni) testing for assessing allergen risk in cosmetic and nutraceutical products.

Why entrust your analysis to YesWeLab?

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of ISO 17025 and COFRAC accredited laboratories specializing in elemental and environmental analyses. Our teams support industrial companies in quality control, regulatory compliance, and the prevention of risks related to heavy metals.
Since 2020, YesWeLab has facilitated the management of analyses through a digital platform that centralizes ordering, tracking, and receiving results, saving time and ensuring maximum reliability.