Applications
Nowadays demand for Iridium comes mainly from the electronic industry, the
automotive industry and from the chemical industry, where it is used to coat the
electrodes in the chlor-alkali process, and in catalyst.
Some applications are in pivot bearings and in scientific and other special
equipment, but it is principally used in alloys: Osmium/Iridium alloys are used
for tipping fountain pen nibs and for compass bearings.
Iridium in the environment
The level of Iridium in land plants is below 20 ppb. Iridium is found as
uncombined element, and also as the Iridium-Osmium alloys osmIridium and
idrosmine. Most of the Iridium comes from South Africa. Annual world production
amounts to around 3 tonnes. Reserves have not been estimated.
Health effects of Iridium
Potential Health effects: Eye: may cause eye irritation. Skin: low hazard for
usual industrial handling. Ingestion: may cause irritation of the digestive
tract. Expected to be a low ingestion hazard. Inhalation: low hazard for usual
industrial handling.
Environmental effects of Iridium
Do not allow product to reach ground water, water bodies or sewage system.
