representing about 25% of the cadmium processed commercially. Historical use in art The general commercial availability of cadmium sulfide from the 1840s led to its adoption by artists, notably Van Gogh, Monet (in his London series and other works) and Matisse (Bathers by a River 1916–1919). The presence of cadmium in paints has been used to detect forgeries in paintings alleged to have been produced prior to the 19th century. CdS-CdSe solutions CdS and CdSe form solid solutions with each other. Increasing amounts of cadmium selenide, gives pigments verging toward red, for example CI pigment orange 20 and CI pigment red 108.Such solid solutions are components of photoresistors (light dependent resistors) sensitive to visible and near infrared light. Safety Cadmium sulfide is toxic, especially dangerous when inhaled as dust, and cadmium compounds in general are classified as carcinogenic. Problems of biocompatibility have been reported when CdS is used as colors in tattoos. CdS has an LD50 of approximately 7,080 mg/kg in rats - which is higher than other cadmium compounds due to its low solubility. References External links Cadmium(II) sulphide information at Webelements IARC Monograph: "Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds" Last access November 2005. International Chemical Safety Card 0404 National Pollutant Inventory - Cadmium and compounds Report by the Academy of Medical Sciences to the Chief Scientific Adviser, Ministry of Defence on the zinc cadmium sulphide dispersion trials undertaken in the United Kingdom between 1953 and 1964. Cadmium compounds Sulfides Inorganic compounds Inorganic pigments II-VI semiconductors IARC Group 1 carcinogens Phosphors and scintillators Zincblende crystal structure Wurtzite structure type Glass dyes