Increasng levels of rare element found worldwide

Bangulzai SG

Increasing levels of rare element found worldwide

Osmium

Dartmouth researchers have determined that the presence of the rare element osmium is on the rise globally. They trace this increase to the consumption of refined platinum, the primary ingredient in catalytic converters, the equipment commonly installed in cars to reduce smog. A volatile form of osmium is generated during platinum refinement and also during the normal operation of cars, and it gets dispersed globally through the atmosphere.

While osmium is found naturally, the researchers were surprised to discover that most of the osmium in rain and snow, and in the surface waters of rivers and oceans, is produced during the refining of platinum. "It's interesting, maybe ironic, that we stopped adding lead to gasoline in the 70s so that catalytic converters could be introduced to remove smog from car exhaust," says Dartmouth Associate Professor of Earth Sciences Mukul Sharma. "Now we learn that using platinum in the converters is responsible for an increase in osmium. Fortunately, unlike lead, the concentration of osmium in water is extremely small and may not adversely affect biology."

Sharma worked with Dartmouth Ph.D. student Cynthia Chen and Peter Sedwick at Old Dominion University. Their study will be published in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences during the week of April 20, 2009.

The research team measured osmium in precipitation in North America, Europe, Asia, and Antarctica, and in both surface water and deep water from the North Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic (or Southern) Oceans. Human-made osmium also comes from chromium smelters, hospital incinerators, and the normal operation of cars, but it's primarily the industrial extraction and refining of platinum that produces the bulk of the osmium found in rain and snow.

Sharma explains that about 95 percent of the world's platinum comes from South Africa and Russia where it is roasted at extremely high temperatures during the extraction and refinement process. The process removes sulfur present in the ore as sulfur dioxide and, at the same time, releases osmium, which is abundant in the ore.

"Neither South Africa nor Russia has implemented environmental laws regulating this, but if steps are taken to minimize these emissions, the incidence of osmium will certainly subside," says Sharma. "It's surprising that we are seeing this measurable increase in osmium on a global scale, and we can virtually blame it on one thing: our insatiable demand for platinum-based catalytic converters."

###

Dartmouth College

Thanks to Dartmouth College for this article.

jay_rocks SG

Osmium , issit good or issit bad?

HyuugaNeji SG

platinum is good:) During periods of sustained economic stability and growth, the price of platinum tends to be as much as twice the price of gold

Bangulzai SG

bad lo

a search on internet shows you the compound osmium tetroxide is extremely poisonous

http://www.lenntech.com/Periodic-chart-elements…

Health effects of osmium

Osmium tetroxide, OsO4, is highly toxic. Concentrations in air as low as 10-7 g m-3 can cause lung congestion, skin damage, and severe eye damage. The oxide, in particular, should only ever be handled by a properly qualified chemist.

Osmium tetroxide can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour, by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.

Inhalation risk: A harmful contamination of the air can be reached very quickly on evaporation of this substance at 20°C.

Inhalation: Burning sensation. Cough. Headache. Wheezing. Shortness of breath. Visual disturbances. Symptoms may be delayed. Skin: Redness. Skin burns. Pain. Skin discoloration. Blisters. Eyes: Redness. Pain. Blurred vision. Loss of vision. Severe deep burns. Ingestion: Abdominal cramps. Burning sensation. Shock or collapse.

Chemical dangers: The substance decomposes on heating producing fumes of osmium. The substance is a strong oxidant and reacts with combustible and reducing materials. Reacts with hydrochloric acid to form toxic chlorine gas. Forms unstable compounds with alkalis.

Effects of short-term exposure: Tear drawing. The substance is corrosive to the eyes, the skin, and the respiratory tract. Inhalation of this substance may cause lung oedema. Exposure to high concentrations may result in death. The effects may be delayed.

Effects of long-term or repeated exposure: Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. The substance may have effects on the kidneys.

Environmental effects of osmium

No information found in our select references. However we expect osmium ecotoxicity to be very low because of its strength as an oxidizer, that makes it be readily converted to the dioxide, a form of the metal that is reasonably innocuous.

Chew Bakar SG

Thanks. Good reading.

So we suffer osmium poisoning (delayed effect) with our current unleaded petrol or electric vehicles. So much for "green".

Jianye SG

Can't they just reveal how many more posionous substances are floating in the skies?

At least we can know what did we die from...

Chew Bakar SG

Can't they just reveal how many more posionous substances are floating in the skies?

At least we can know what did we die from...

Revealing the truth hurts the economy. Economy and ecology goes in oppose direction.

Many more from mercury, lead, cadmium, lithium etc that are creeping into the Earth surface. Everything come with a price. We get the convenience, we get the side effects.

Bangulzai SG

Revealing the truth hurts the economy. Economy and ecology goes in oppose direction.

Many more from mercury, lead, cadmium, lithium etc that are creeping into the Earth surface. Everything come with a price. We get the convenience, we get the side effects.

we should go back and live in the old ages where health quality is higher

lianamaster SG

platinum is good:) During periods of sustained economic stability and growth, the price of platinum tends to be as much as twice the price of gold

True.... lolx....