Whenever I hear something described as extremely toxic I want to know more.  The
material safety data sheets for neodymium list it as mildly toxic. Neodymium
oxide's only listed hazard is causing lung irritation if inhaled. Just about
everything fits that description.  Neodymium certainly burns. Misch metal
contains about 18% Neodymium. Lighter flints are made of misch metal. If burning
Neodymium is a health hazard why aren't there warnings for lighters? Perhaps it
is the other ingredients in the magnets that is the problem? Or possibly it is
the magnet vendor being over cautious.

Jim Hannon




meredith lamb  on 10/14/99 04:00:11 PM

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Subject:  Neodymium hazard



I bought afew neo's from Forcefield awhile back and they sent
a warning with the shipment:

Do not attempt to drill, cut, or machine these until doing some
research.  They are brittle, so odds are, as soon as you try, the
magnet will break.  They also lose their field when overheated
(200-300deg F. depending on the magnet).  If overheated
too much, they burn, super hot, and super fast, like magnesium.
The fumes given off by combustion are extremely toxic.  If you
were to try dilling these, the dust will build up on the bit, and
one spark could set it off, so...DON'T TRY!

They also recommend gloves when handling these magnets.
Also obviously keep away from computers, monitors, tv sets,
cassette tapes, floppy discs, and people with pacemakers.

Meredith Lamb







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