Does Human Body Use Terbium?

One radioactive isotope, terbium-149, is used in medicine. The isotope is injected directly into cancer cells in a patient's body. The radiation given off kills the cancer cells.

Is terbium toxic to humans?

Health effects of terbium

Terbium has no bilogical role, it may be mildly toxic by ingestion. Terbium powder and compound are very irritating if they come into contact with the skin and the eyes.

Where is terbium found?

Terbium occurs in many rare-earth minerals but is almost exclusively obtained from bastnasite and from laterite ion-exchange clays. It is also found in the products of nuclear fission. Terbium is one of the least abundant of the rare earths; its abundance in Earth's crust is about the same as thallium.