Cadmium is a silvery metal with a bluish tinge to its surface.Cadmium is a poison and is known to cause birth defects and cancer. As a result, there are moves to limit its use.80% of cadmium currently produced is used in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. However, they are gradually being phased out and replaced with nickel metal hydride batteries.Cadmium was often used to electroplate steel and protect it from corrosion. It is still used today to protect critical components of aeroplanes and oil platforms.Other past uses of cadmium included phosphors in cathode ray tube colour TV sets, and yellow, orange and red pigments.Cadmium absorbs neutrons and so is used in rods in nuclear reactors to control atomic fission.