A prospective atmospheric emission inventory for cadmium--the European community as a study area

The quantities of cadmium emitted to the atmosphere from natural and human sources have been estimated for the member states of the European Community, allowing the construction of an atmospheric emission inventory for cadmium at the regional level. A survey of the available emission data was used to calculate an emission factor (g cadmium emitted tonne -1 material consumed or produced) for each source. This value was applied to the most recent consumption or production data for the region to obtain an annual discharge estimate. Predictions of future trends in cadmium emissions from human sources over the next two decades were based on economic forecasts for the process in question. The iron and steel industries and refuse incineration are the two largest sources of airborne cadmium in the region, followed by volcanic action and zinc production. It is forecast that there will be an increase in cadmium emissions over the next two decades due mainly to the iron and steel industries and zinc production. A comparison of the emission estimates obtained in this study with those given in previously published inventories reveal disparities in the source strengths for some processes. In particular, it would appear that cadmium emissions from coal combustion and non-ferrous metal production have been overestimated in some past studies.