Editing Iridium (section)

== Precautions and hazards ==
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&nbsp;[[parts per notation|parts per trillion]] of iridium in human tissue.<ref name="Emsley" /> Like most metals, finely divided iridium powder can be hazardous to handle, as it is an irritant and may ignite in air.<ref name="kirk-pt">{{cite book|title=Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology|first = R. J.| last = Seymour|author2=O'Farrelly, J. I.|chapter=Platinum-Group Metals|doi=10.1002/0471238961.1612012019052513.a01.pub3|date=2012|publisher=Wiley| isbn=978-0471238966 }}</ref> Iridium is relatively unhazardous otherwise, with the only effect of Iridium ingestion being irritation of the [[Gastrointestinal tract|digestive tract]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iridium (Ir) - Chemical properties, Health and Environmental effects |url=https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/ir.htm#:~:text=not%20been%20estimated.-,Health%20effects%20of%20iridium,irritation%20of%20the%20digestive%20tract. |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=www.lenntech.com}}</ref> However, soluble salts, such as the iridium halides, could be hazardous due to elements other than iridium or due to iridium itself.<ref name="mager" /> At the same time, most iridium compounds are insoluble, which makes absorption into the body difficult.<ref name="Emsley" />

A radioisotope of iridium, {{chem|192|Ir}}, is dangerous, like other radioactive isotopes. The only reported injuries related to iridium concern accidental exposure to radiation from {{chem|192|Ir}} used in [[brachytherapy]].<ref name="mager">{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety|first=J.|last=Mager Stellman|chapter=Iridium|isbn=978-92-2-109816-4|date=1998|publisher=International Labour Organization|pages=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopaediaofo0003unse/page/63 63.19]|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nDhpLa1rl44C&pg=PT125|oclc=35279504|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopaediaofo0003unse/page/63}}</ref> High-energy gamma radiation from {{chem|192|Ir}} can increase the risk of cancer. External exposure can cause burns, [[radiation poisoning]], and death. Ingestion of <sup>192</sup>Ir can burn the linings of the stomach and the intestines.<ref>{{cite web| title = Radioisotope Brief: Iridium-192 (Ir-192)| work = Radiation Emergencies| publisher = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention| date = 2004-08-18| url = http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/isotopes/pdf/iridium.pdf| access-date = 2008-09-20}}</ref> <sup>192</sup>Ir, <sup>192m</sup>Ir, and <sup>194m</sup>Ir tend to deposit in the [[liver]], and can pose health hazards from both [[Gamma radiation|gamma]] and [[Beta particle|beta]] radiation.<ref name="argonne">{{cite web|title=Iridium |work=Human Health Fact Sheet |publisher=Argonne National Laboratory |date=2005 |url=http://www.ead.anl.gov/pub/doc/Iridium.pdf |access-date=2008-09-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304005456/http://www.ead.anl.gov/pub/doc/Iridium.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2012 }}</ref>