Selenium

Classification:

Selenium is a chemical element.

Cas:

7782-49-2

Synonyms/Trade Names:

C.I. 77805, Colloidal Selenium, Elemental Selenium, Selen (polish), Selenium Homopolymer, Vandex.

Chemistry/Composition:

Se.

Structure:

Hexagonal closed packing.

Crystallographic Constants:

4.366 4.366 4.953 60.000 60.000 60.000.

Crystal Group:

Hexagonal.

Color:

Dark gray.

Optical Properties:

Opaque.

Pleochroism:

None.

Powder Diagram:

3.005 3.78 2.072 1.998 (6-362).

Natural Sources:

By-product from different metallurgy processes.

Medical Importance:

Key Hazards:

Irritation, intoxication.

Involved Organs:

Eye, upper respiratory tract, lung.

Exposure/Epidemiology:

It is used as pigment, in alloys, in rubber industries and glass industries.

Thresholds:

 TWA STEL
mg/m3 mg/m3
Australia 0.2
Belgium 0.2
Denmark 0.1
Germany 0.1
Hungary 0.1
Poland 0.1
United States: ACGIH 0.2
United States: NIOSH/OSHA 0.2

Etiology/Pathophysiology:

Selenium dioxide is irritable to the epithelial membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory tract.

Lung Diseases:

Usually none, a few cases with chronic edema of the lung have been reported.

Clinical Presentation:

Associated specific symptoms are not known.

Radiology:

Associated specific findings are not known.

Lung Function:

Usually normal findings.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage:

Usually normal findings.

Pathology:

Gross:

The lungs are of normal color and consistency.

Histology:

The alveoli can contain an increased number of macrophages, and collections of brown dust particles may be seen in the lymphatic tissue.

Prognosis:

Usually good and without serious sequelae.

Additional Diseases:

Eye:

Acute irritative conjunctivitis.

Upper Respiratory Tract:

Chronic cough and inflammation.

References:

search Pubmed for Selenium


Högberg J, Alexander J: Selenium. In: L Friberg, GF Nordberg, VB Vouk (Eds): Handbook on the toxicology of metals. Elsevier, Amsterdam, New York (1990)
Jungi WF: Zur Bedeutung der Selenversorgung. Soz Präventivmed 34 (1989) 71-74
Lewis RJ: Carcinogenically active chemicals. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1991)
Mitchell JD, East B W , Harris IS, Pentland B: Managnese, selenium and other trace elements in spinal cord, liver and bone motor neurone disease. Eur Neurol 31 (1991) 7-11
Rom WN (Ed): Occupational and environmental medicine. Little, Brown and Comp, Boston (1983)