By removing cadmium are you admitting that it a dangerous pollutant with significant health risks?
- Cadmium – like many trace metal elements (TEs) – can cause health issues and environmental damage in high concentrations.
Scientific studies also show that phosphate fertilisers are not [primarily] responsible for cadmium concentrations in [European] soils[1] [If other sources on other regional levels are available we should reference them here]. For example, the European Commission’s joint
- research centre (JRC) highlights that the presence of heavy metals in soils is mainly related to natural and anthropogenic sources for example industrial activities such as metallurgy, mining and industrial waste disposal.
- There is also clear evidence that fertilizers containing less than 60 mg/kg P₂O₅ of cadmium [the current limit in the EU] do not contribute to cadmium accumulation.
- In addition to regulating inputs into the environment, OCP supports the implementation of agricultural practices that significantly reduce the absorption and accumulation of trace metal elements – including cadmium – in the soil. These include:
- Good agricultural practices, including conservation agriculture techniques such as soil cover, reduced tillage, and the use of organic amendments.
- Applying fertilizers according to the principles of the 4Rs helps maintain optimal soil nutrient levels, preventing both over-saturation and deficiencies.
- Avoiding excess nitrogen in the soil, as overapplication of nitrogen impacts the pH of soils and increases its solubility to trace elements such as cadmium.
- Planting crops which have a low capacity to absorb these elements, such as legumes.
- Ensure that only uncontaminated and/or treated water is used for irrigation.
[1] Analysis of LUCAS data on 5938 soil samples shows a negative relationship between phosphorous and cadmium concentrations. Statistical regressions confirm that phosphate fertilisers do not predict cadmium levels in agricultural soils.
How do you test the levels of cadmium? Do you have external assurance/verification?
How do you dispose of/manage phosphogypsum? What are the long-term plans for managing phosphogypsum?
Does phosphogypsum still contain cadmium and if so is that a public health risk in Morocco, given the potential for water runoff containing cadmium?
You have removed cadmium but what about other heavy metals? What levels are they at and do you have similar plans to lower these?
- All our products comply with the various recommended/regulatory thresholds of the countries we work with.