The thulium is discovered chemical element in 1879 by the Swedish scientist Teodor Cleve, its name refers to the region in which it was discovered " Thule " area which is currently known as Scandinavia, the atomic number of thulium is equivalent to 69 and an atomic weight 168.8.
Thulium is the least abundant of the lanthanides, despite the fact that it exists in a smaller proportion than thulium, it is not found naturally in the environment but is manufactured at the laboratory level, the metal thulium is characterized by being soft with a bright gray color, and when it is in conjugation with other elements forming salts, it has a light or pale greenish color that turns darker when it becomes a liquid state, other important characteristics to highlight of this element is that it is resistant to pressure dry oxygen and is highly ductile.
At first, thulium was used for the construction of lasers, however due to the difficulty of obtaining this element, its sale value is very high, which interferes with its free commercialization in the market. Thulium is also used for the manufacture of portable x-rays, this being bombarded with electrons by a nuclear reactor serves as a portable or transportable energy source, just as gadolinium is also used for microwaves since it is used as energy radiator with high temperatures. Obtaining this chemical is carried out from the transmission of ions to monazite sand, which is found free in river sands, the metal can be isolated and captured in a pure form by two methods or it is reduced with lanthanum oxide, or a calcium reduction is made in a hermetically sealed container.
Like its peers, thulium has high levels of toxicity that in contact with any area can cause significant injuries, which requires compliance with high levels of biosafety, for the preservation of the integral health of workers who handle this element; One of the different conditions that could be mentioned would be: irritation when having contact with the conjunctival area (eyes), as well as it can irritate the skin if it is touched directly to the metal, for this reason, the use of gloves is required, and can erode the walls of the digestive tract if an ingestion of this element is made.
