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  • Tungsten in Ballpoint Pens: Properties, Density & Oxide Toxicity
    The metal you're describing is tungsten.

    Here's why:

    * Alloy in ballpoint pens: Tungsten is used in the tips of some ballpoint pens due to its hardness and wear resistance.

    * Nearly twice as dense as lead: Tungsten is indeed significantly denser than lead.

    * Strong odor: Tungsten itself doesn't have a strong odor. However, tungsten oxides can have a pungent odor.

    * Highly toxic oxide: Tungsten oxides, particularly tungsten trioxide (WO3), are considered toxic.

    Important Note: While tungsten is a heavy metal, the amount used in ballpoint pen tips is very small and poses no significant health risk to users.

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