Should we fear cadmium? Comments from Mathieu Leduc

French doctors are raising the alarm about rising exposure to cadmium, a toxic heavy metal found in phosphate fertilizers. Cadmium is a known carcinogen linked to kidney damage, bone disease, and other long-term health issues, even at low doses. French doctors are urging France's government to tighten fertilizer regulations to reduce this public health risk.

What about in Quebec?

Experts told La Presse that Quebecers shouldn't worry about cadmium exposure yet—cadmium levels are declining in the Canadian population and Canada's standards governing cadmium content in fertilizers are more conservative.

In addition, agronomist Mathieu Leduc, a lecturer at McGill's Farm Management and Technology program, told La Presse that a "significant proportion" of soil phosphorus enrichment is now done using manure, which "generally contains fewer heavy metals." He added that large farms must be assessed for phosphorus annually, which prevents overuse of these fertilizers.