| Agent Name |
Gadolinium |
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| CAS Number |
7440-54-2 |
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| Formula |
Gd |
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| Major Category |
Metals |
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| Synonyms |
UN1383 (Pyroporic metal); [MSDSonline] |
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| Category |
Rare Earth Metals |
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| Description |
Silvery white, malleable metal that tarnishes in moist air; [Reference #2] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in the control rods of some nuclear reactors; Natural isotopes include Gd-152 (radioactive); the remaining six isotopes are stable and comprise 99.8% of naturally occurring gadolinium; Mineral sources are samarskite, gadolinite (ytterbite), and xenotime; [Merck Index] Used in electronic applications (gadolinium yttrium garnets and phosphors), metallurgy (iron and chromium alloys), and as a contrast agent for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging); [Wikipedia] |
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| Comments |
In contact with water, gadolinium powder releases flammable hydrogen; [MSDSonline] Used in MRI contrast agents, gadolinium has been linked to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF/NFD). "The 25 cases of NSF/NFD were reported on May 29, 2006, by the Danish Medicines Agency. Among these, 20 cases occurred in Denmark and five cases occurred in Austria. The patients developed NSF/SFD within 3 months (range 2 weeks to 3 months) after receiving the gadolinium-containing contrast agent." [Reference #1] See "RARE EARTH METALS." |
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| Reference Link |
FDA Public Health Advisory: Gadolinium-containing Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Omniscan, OptiMARK, Magnevist, ProHance, and MultiHance |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Melting point = 1312 degrees C. [Sax] |
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| Reference Link |
LANL: Gadolinium |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Nephrotoxin |
Yes |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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