Discovered : 1817 by Friedrich Stromeyer Isolated in Gottingen, Germany Origin : The name is derived from the Latin 'cadmia', the name for the mineral calamine. Description : A silvery metal produced as a by-product of zinc refining. It is used in rechargeable batteries, and cadmium sulfide was once a common pigment known as cadmium yellow. Cadmium accumulates in the body; although a person’s daily intake may be as little as 0.05 milligrammes, he or she will have stored, on average about 50 milligrammes. Cadmium is a poison and is known to cause birth defects and cancer. As a result, there are moves to limit its use. Image : Alchemical symbol.