 Various cadmium salts are used in paint pigments , with CdS as a yellow pigment being the most common . Cadmium selenide is a red pigment , commonly called cadmium red . To painters who work with the pigment , cadmium provides the most brilliant and durable <unk> , <unk> , and reds — so much so that during production , these colors are significantly toned down before they are ground with oils and <unk> or blended into watercolors , <unk> , <unk> , and other paint and pigment <unk> . Because these pigments are potentially toxic , users should use a barrier cream on the hands to prevent absorption through the skin even though the amount of cadmium absorbed into the body through the skin is reported to be less than 1 % . 
