Product Name: Lanthanum
Cas No.: 7439-91-0
MF: La
MW: 138.91
Appearance: It is silvery white in color.
Description:
Lanthanum is used in the manufacturing of optics in glass. It is also used for cracking catalyst as a hydrocarbons in oil refineries.
Lanthanum elements are found to be used in commercial studio lighting.
Biologically lanthanum is considered as mildly toxic. Few studies found out that if exposed to this metal, it may result in organ damage. But lanthanum which is used for medication, is processed for human use.
Being the first member of the lanthanide series, lanthanum is recovered by the process of solvent extraction from the bastnasite mineral. Lanthanum is a vital element as it is required in catalyst to produce fuel for vehicles and aircraft.
Lanthanide is used everyday in fuel cells and batteries as alloys. They are used for power generation.
Lanthanum is used widely in cameras, video cameras and lenses. It is used in optics widely as it provides more flexibility in the refractive index and helps in modifying glass crystal structure.
One of the most important use of lanthanum is in X-ray films and other types of lasers, as it helps in the reduction of harmful radiation to an impressive extent.
Lanthanum containing rare earth compounds are used widely in carbon lighting objects, also used in studio lighting and projection.
It is a Misch metal, which is an alloy which when rubbed, produces sparks. It is used extensively in producing cigarette lighters.
Its compounds are also used in carbon arc lamps, which produce very bright white light.
Recently, lanthanum glass is being used for manufacturing optical fibers. It is a wire made of glass. Optical fibers are a great means of carrying video, audio and digital data.
Medically, it is used for the treating excessive blood phosphate levels (hyperphosphatemia) in patients who are on dialysis because of a kidney disease.
Lanthanum should be taken orally only when prescribed by your doctor. It is to be chewed first and then swallowed only with water. It must not be swallowed as whole. You can crush the tablet to make it easy to chew.