Applications
Dysprosium is used in nuclear reactors as a cermet, a composite material made of
ceramic and sintered metal, to make laser materials, nuclear reactor control
rods, as sources of infrared radiation for studying chemical reactions. Another
use in the field of radioactivity is in dosimeters for monitoring exposure to
ionizing radiation.
Dysprosium in the environment
Dysprosium is one of the more abundant lanthanide elements and is more than
twice as abundant as tin. Dysprosium is never encountered as the free element,
but is found in many minerals. The most important ores are monazite and
bastnasite. World production in around 100 tonnes per year.
Health effects of Dysprosium
Dysprosium has no biological role. Soluble Dysprosium salts are mildly toxic by
ingestion, while insoluble salts are non toxic. From toxicity tests on mice it
was calculated that a dose of 500 grams or more would be needed to put a
person's life at risk.
Environmental effects of Dysprosium
Dysprosium poses no Environmental threat to plants and animals.