Cadmium, a heavy metal found in many everyday items like pasta, rice, chocolate, cigarettes, and even air, is present in a significant portion of food products, according to a recent report by Anses, France’s national agency for food, environmental, and occupational health safety. In its third major study on nutrition, Anses found that 89% of the food items analyzed contained cadmium. This metal has been known for decades to have harmful effects on human health, and ongoing research continues to uncover new health issues linked to its presence. Although it is difficult to assign a specific number of deaths directly to cadmium exposure, it is clear that the metal increases mortality risk by contributing to various diseases. Since 1993, cadmium has been classified as a "certain carcinogen for humans" by the World Health Organization. It is strongly associated with lung cancer in workers exposed to it in industries such as fertilizer production, mining, metallurgy, chemical manufacturing, waste incineration, and battery recycling. Health organizations suspect it may also contribute to other types of cancer in the general population, such as pancreatic, bladder, nasopharyngeal, prostate, and breast cancer. However, evidence for these associations is still being collected and is not yet fully confirmed. Once inside the body, cadmium can remain for a long time, particularly in the kidneys and bones. Anses notes that even low levels of cadmium can cause kidney damage, which may eventually lead to kidney failure and weaken bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Xavier Coumoul, a toxicologist at Inserm, explains that cadmium can stay in the kidneys for 10 to 30 years and in bones for several years. This long-term presence makes it especially concerning for human health. Cadmium can also affect reproductive health in both men and women. As an endocrine disruptor, it interferes with hormone function. Some studies have found traces of cadmium in semen, suggesting a possible link between environmental exposure and fertility issues. While cadmium does not always cause infertility, it is considered a mutagen, meaning it can lead to hereditary genetic defects or increase the chance of genetic abnormalities. Children are particularly vulnerable to cadmium exposure. Anses estimates that between 23% and 27% of children exceed the daily tolerable dose of cadmium. In children, this exposure may lead to neurodevelopmental issues, including problems with motor skills, sensory perception, and cognitive abilities, which require careful monitoring. To reduce exposure, it is recommended to eat a varied diet to avoid repeated exposure to the same contaminant. For smokers, cigarettes contribute significantly to cadmium intake—up to 43% of their exposure—while food accounts for about 55%. Smokers, on average, have 50% higher cadmium exposure than non-smokers, making quitting smoking a crucial step in reducing risk.