Is this meteor dangerous?

Question

My Grandfather found a Meteor on the ground somewhere in Kansas, and brought it to me, but I've heard that Iridium, a key material in meteors, is highly toxic in certain compounds. Should I be worried?

Answer 1

Iridium is not really toxic, as it is perhaps one of the least reactive metal known, even less reactive than gold.

Also of note: iridium is extraordinary rare in meteorite, which it makes it barely more abundant than in the earth's crust.

Meteorite: 350000 parts per trillion of iridium
Earth crust: 20 parts per trillion of iridium.

So, what does this mean? It is 17500 times more abundant in some meterorite than in the surface of the earth (the reason is that most of the iridium on this planet sank to the core, out of reach), but if you have one penny as opposed to having $175, does than make you filthy rich?

Your meteorite is totally harmless.

Answer 2

A meteor is of no danger at all until it becomes a meteorite and hits the Earth - even then the danger level depends on where you are standing at the time it lands.
As for harmful effects from meteorites that you find don't worry they are 100% safe.

Answer 3

I think you are confusing it with dangerous radioactive iridium which won't be what you find on a meteorite. The metal is not toxic but some of its compounds are.

Answer 4

i think your just making it up difficult for you only'' Meteors or asteriods are none but Rock or debris on space what you may afraid of meteors if it was larger than a house that may endangered us for the impact

Answer 5

Don't dunk it in acetone-water mixtures, and then drink the mixture. Other than that, I wouldn't worry.