Gadolinium exposure can cause Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), which is a horrible and fatal disease.  People with NSF can turn into “living statues” because their limbs become as hard as wood or stone.  I’ve seen pictures of people affected by the disease, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.  Thankfully, the FDA is stepping up its efforts to prevent more people from contracting it:

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that certain types of drugs used in MRI scans shouldn’t be used in patients with kidney disease because of the risk of developing a rare and potentially fatal skin condition.

The FDA said that drugs known as gadolinium-based contrast agents will carry new warnings on their labels about the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis if the drugs are administered to certain patients with kidney disease. The drugs are also used in a procedure known as magnetic resonance angiography, or MRA.

Source: FDA Boosts Warnings on Drugs Used In MRIs – WSJ.com

Here is more information about Gadolinium & NSF.