Is there platinum in some common obtainable items?

[John 'n' W.Va]

I have been reading up on platinum. Where would be some common things besides jewelry to find platinum?

I use to work at a semi-conductor plant that closed down. They would throw away things and had no idea what they were throwing away. I have lots of microscope lenses valued at $1,800 apiece that where in the garbage. They throw away all sorts of gold plated stuff. Are there common things that were made out of platinum that we could find in an old house or factory?

 

[RG]

Here are some...

http://www.unctad.org/infocomm/anglais/platinum/uses.htm

RG

 

[treasurefiend]

yes catalytic converters, here we are having a rash of thefts. The news says there is about $100 of platinum in them. Thief's steal them off of your car and sell them to a chop shop for $25, then they are harvested for the precious metal.

 

[Wayne/TX]

Thanks RG, excellent informative website!
..W