ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a detailed discussion on the occurrence and production, uses, chemical and physical properties, exposure and exposure limits, toxicokinetics, and effects of iridium in humans. The platinum-group metals are recovered from placer deposits of two intergrown alloys of the metals and from sulfide-ore bodies. Most of the new platinum-group metal recovery in the United States is from copper and gold refining. Iridium is used by the petroleum-refining and chemical industries and for electrical applications. The chemistry of iridium is more similar to that of rhodium than of the other platinum-group metals. The effects of iridium in humans include information on acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, biochemistry, specific organs and systems, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity.
