Rare metal used in MRI can cause deadly disease

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Nanoparticles of the toxic rare earth metal gandolinium have the potential to enter kidney cells, causing serious health complications. This property of gandolinium was discovered by a group of researchers from the University of New Mexico in a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Scientists have found that in some cases gadolinium can cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis — a painful, often fatal disease affecting the skin and organs, as well as potentially lethal.

Gandolinium can be found in the contrast agent often given to patients before MRI scans. in the kidneys and other tissues.

Brent Wagner, associate professor of internal medicine at New Mexico State University, says that about half of MRI scans use gadolinium-containing contrast agents.

He also states that some patients developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis after a single dose, while others developed it after only eight years of exposure.

The study raised additional concerns that gadolinium could be released into the environment, as MRI contrast agent has been found to be excreted in the urine. It is also capable of releasing white blood cells called fibrocytes.

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