Precautions
Although ytterbium is fairly stable chemically, it is stored in airtight containers and in an inert atmosphere to protect the metal from air and moisture. All compounds of ytterbium are treated as highly toxic, although initial studies appear to indicate that the danger is minimal. Ytterbium compounds are, however, known to cause irritation to the human skin and eyes, and some might be teratogenic. Metallic ytterbium dust poses a fire and explosion hazard.
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