Lanthanides are rare-earth heavy metals with useful magnetic properties and a knack for emitting light. Researchers had long assumed that lanthanides' toxicity risk was low and therefore safe to implement in a number of high-tech breakthroughs we now take for granted: from OLEDs (organic light-emitting displays)¬¬ to medical MRIs and even hybrid vehicles.
Scientists have compiled the most complete library yet of lanthanide heavy metals, used in many high-tech breakthroughs and long assumed to be low risk, and their potential toxicity using baker's yeast to lanthanides. Their findings could help researchers uncover hidden pathways between lanthanide metals and disease.