Lanthanum Chloride for Algae & Phosphate Removal

Lanthanum chloride and cerium/lanthanum chloride (CLC)

Ecologix offers two rare earth chloride solutions for phosphate abatement: lanthanum chloride and cerium/lanthanum chloride (CLC). Both are effective because of their high affinity for phosphorus and wider effective pH range. Each reacts with phosphorus in a 1:1 molar ratio, reducing the amount of solution required and producing less sludge.

Lanthanum chloride is used by zoos, aquariums, fisheries, landscape maintenance, and swimming pool operators. Customers also use it to control algae in park and golf course ponds. Its phosphate reduction can prevent toxic algal blooms and improve water clarity.

CLC is a newer product used in wheat, gluten, and starch production facilities to treat water leaving those processes.

Toxicity

Rare earths as a group tend to have LD50 values above 3,000 mg/kg, classifying them as moderately or slightly toxic. Although they may cause skin and eye irritation, they are generally poorly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and lungs. The acute toxicity of cerium and lanthanum has been studied and found to be low. As of 2014, the EPA had not classified rare earth elements as carcinogens.

The EPA has derived Provisional Peer Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTV) for lanthanum and cerium compounds after reviewing relevant scientific literature using methods consistent with the IRIS Program.