Applications
Neodymium is one of the rare chemicals, that can be found in houses in equipment
such as colour televisions, fluorescent lamps, energy-saving lamps and glasses.
All rare chemicals have comparable properties. Nedymium is one of the several
metals in alloys commonly used in lighter flints. The most important alloys is
neodybium, Iron and Boron (NIB), found to make excellent permanent magnets.
These magnets are part of modern vehicles components, used in computer data
storing and in loudspeakers. Neodymium is used in coloring glasses (didymium
glass) able to adsorb the yellow Sodium glare of the flame. This kind of glass
is used to protect the eyes of welders. It is also used to tint glass attractive
shades of purple.
Neodymium in the environment
Neodymium is the second most abundant of the rare-earth elements (after Cerium)
an is almost as abundant as Copper. It is found in minerals that include all
lanthanide minerals, such as monazite and bastnasite. The main areas are Brazil,
China, USA, India, Sri Lanka and Australia. Reserves of neodybium are estimated
to be 8 million tonnes, world production of neodybium oxide is about 7.000
tonnes a year.
Health effects of Neodymium
The amount of Neodymium in humans is quite small and, although the metal has no
biological role, it can be effects on parts of the body: neodybium dust and
salts are very irritating to the eyes. Ingested neodybium salts are regarded as
only slightly toxic if they are soluble and non toxic if they are insoluble.
Neodymium is mostly dangerous in the working envIronment, due to the fact that
damps and gasses can be inhaled with air. This can cause lung embolisms,
especially during long-term exposure. Neodymium can be a threat to the liver
when it accumulates in the human body.
Environmental effects of Neodymium
Neodymium is dumped in the environment in many different places, mainly by
petrol-producing industries. It can also enter the environment when household
equipment is thrown away. Neodymium will gradually accumulate in soils and water
soils and this will eventually lead to increasing concentrations in humans,
animals and soil particles.
With water animals Neodymium causes damage to cell membranes, which has several
negative influences on reproduction and on the functions of the nervous system.
