We are sometimes asked if magnets are toxic to humans. The short answer is no, they're not, but if you're not careful, most things can become dangerous, and that includes magnets.
If we're talking specifically about whether magnets are toxic or not, we can start by looking at what they're made of. The magnets we sell the most of are neodymium magnets. They are made of the metals neodymium, iron and boron.
Is neodymium poisonous?
In powder form, neodymium can irritate the eyes, nose, mouth and throat. If inhaled in powder form or as gas/vapor, neodymium can damage the lungs. However, when handling neodymium magnets, these risks are not relevant because neodymium is in a solid form. It is mainly when mining neodymium that precautions must be taken to counteract these risks. It can therefore be concluded that neodymium is not toxic to the general consumer.
Is iron poisonous?
No, iron is not toxic and the human body cannot function without it. However, like most other substances, iron can be dangerous in certain situations. If you consume too much iron, it can be toxic to the body. This is typically done by eating too many vitamin pills containing iron. And powdered iron can be highly flammable, which can also pose a danger. But these cases are rare and do not apply to magnets, where the iron is bound in the magnet and therefore cannot be ingested.
Is boron poisonous?
Boron is also not toxic to begin with. Just like iron, the human body needs boron to support bone growth. However, large amounts of boron can be toxic, but the amounts are so large that it is hardly possible to get boron poisoning from eating magnets.
Closing comments
As the above review shows, neodymium magnets are not toxic as long as they are handled with a minimum of care. That's not to say that the magnets can't cause harm. They can pinch fingers if two magnets collide, they can cause damage to the stomach and intestines if two or more magnets are swallowed, and if two magnets collide and break, you can cut yourself on the sharp edges. So handle them with care as you would many other everyday items.