Thread: Why won't blood rust?

We all know that our red blood cells contain iron containing compound hemoglobin to transport oxygen and CO2. But why doesnt the iron rust when there is so much water and oxygen present in the blood?

Iron isn't free to form iron oxides within your body, it is always bound to an organic compound that prevents the formation of harmful products. Iron was a rare resource when life was evolving in the oceans, so most organisms have very efficient ways of holding onto iron. If I remember correctly your body only loses 2 mg of iron a day.

Originally Posted by i_feel_tiredsleepy

Iron isn't free to form iron oxides within your body, it is always bound to an organic compound that prevents the formation of harmful products. Iron was a rare resource when life was evolving in the oceans, so most organisms have very efficient ways of holding onto iron. If I remember correctly your body only loses 2 mg of iron a day.

So it's unavailable because chelators ferry iron off to red blood cells?

In a sense, the iron in your blood is rusted, in that it is present as iron oxide in haem groups of haemoglobin. That is why blood is red; like haemotite; a red iron oxide mineral.