Editing Group 8 element (section)

== Biological role ==
Iron is a mineral used in the human body that is essential for good health. It is a component in the proteins of [[hemoglobin]] and [[myoglobin]], both of which are responsible for transporting oxygen around the body. Iron is a part of some hormones as well. A lack of iron in the body can cause [[Iron-deficiency anemia|iron deficiency anemia]], and an excess of iron in the body can be toxic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of Dietary Supplements - Iron |url=https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=ods.od.nih.gov |language=en}}</ref>

Some ruthenium-containing molecules may be used to fight [[cancer]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Skoczynska |first1=Anna |last2=Lewinski |first2=Andrzej |last3=Pokora |first3=Mateusz |last4=Paneth |first4=Piotr |last5=Budzisz |first5=Elzbieta |date=2023-05-30 |title=An Overview of the Potential Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Properties of Ru(II)/(III) Complexes |journal=International Journal of Molecular Sciences |volume=24 |issue=11 |pages=9512 |doi=10.3390/ijms24119512 |issn=1422-0067 |pmid=37298471 |pmc=10253973 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Normally, however, ruthenium plays no role in the human body.<ref name=":0" />

Both osmium and hassium have no known biological roles.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />