Iridium is a chemical element with symbol Ir and atomic number 77.
Contents
Uses
- Though brittle, iridium can be worked if heated to a white heat of 2,200 to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,200 to 1,500 degrees Celsius), according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Iridium’s principal use is to harden platinum by making a platinum alloy.
- It is also used to make devices needed for high temperatures and in electrical contacts.
- It is also used on some optical lenses to reduce glare. A compound of osmium and iridium, called osmiridium, is used in fountain pen tips and compass bearings. Super-strong jewelry is also made of an iridium and platinum alloy.
Benefits
- Promotes improved cellular metabolism.
- Promotes enhanced mental acuity.
- Supports healthy tissue regeneration.
- May help encourage normal cell functioning.
Cautions
- Iridium in bulk metallic form is not biologically important or hazardous to health due to its lack of reactivity with tissues; there are only about 20 parts per trillion of iridium in human tissue. Like most metals, finely divided iridium powder can be hazardous to handle, as it is an irritant and may ignite in air.
- Very little is known about the toxicity of iridium compounds because they are used in very small amounts, but soluble salts, such as the iridium halides, could be hazardous due to elements other than iridium or due to iridium itself. However, most iridium compounds are insoluble, which makes absorption into the body difficult.
Interactions
n/a
Other names
77Ir
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium#Industrial_and_medical
LiveScience, https://www.livescience.com/39143-iridium.html