Inhalation selenium

No MRLs were derived for inhalation exposure to selenium because of insufficient quantitative data concerning both human and animal exposures. Data on the health effects of inhaled selenium in humans are derived from studies of occupationally exposed workers. These studies suggest that the respiratory system is the most sensitive end point for inhaled selenium dust, but they do not provide quantitative measurements of exposure and are frequently confounded by concurrent exposure to other chemicals. Animal studies support the respiratory system as the target of selenium toxicity, but these are acute studies of exposure to high concentrations of selenium that also produced serious health effects and death. 

CAUTION. The vapour of selenium dioxide is poisonous, and all operations involving the hot material, alone or in solution, should be performed in a fume-cupboard. If lumps of selenium dioxide have to be powdered in a mortar, the latter should also be in a fume-cupboard, with the window lowered as far as possible, to avoid inhaling the fine dust. (cf. p. 191)... 

The fumes and gases of most selenium compounds are very toxic when inhaled. SeO and SeSj are toxic if ingested and very irritating to the skin. They are also carcinogenic. 

Synonym Selenium fluoride Physical Form. Colorless gas Uses. Gaseous electric insulator Exposure. Inhalation... 

Kimmerle G Comparative investigation into the inhalation toxicity of the hexafluorides of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. Archiv Toxikol 18 140-144, 1960... 

Selenium when added to incendiary formulations, produces an oxide smoke which can cause lung oedema when inhaled (Ref 8). Toxicity, low dust or fumes causes serious irritation of respiratory tract (Ref 7)... 

For those who wish to mix their own selenium toner, I have included Dassonville T-55 Direct Selenium Toner, Dassonville T-56 Bleach and Redevelop Selenium Toner, and Flemish Toner (Formulas Toners Selenium Toners). The latter two are both bleach-and-redevelop selenium toners. The advantage to mixing your own is that it is possible to obtain colors not possible with the commercial products. The disadvantage is that selenium in powder form is highly toxic and all three formulas require heating to dissolve the selenium powder which poses the further risk of inhaling fumes. Only mix selenium toner in a well-ventilated area or outdoors and wear a face mask rated for hazardous chemicals. 

Toxicity and health effects Selenium causes hair and nail loss, discoloration and decay of the teeth, and CNS disturbances, including pain and anesthesia of the extremities. Inhalation of hydrogen selenide causes pulmonary edema. The dusts of selenium produce respiratory tract irritation, while the fumes of selenium dioxide produce metal fume fever. Dermal exposure and ingestion of selenium oxychloride cause skin burns, corrosive injury to the gastrointestinal tract, stupor, respiratory depression, and refractory hypotension. Ingestion of selenious acid causes corrosive injury to the gastrointestinal tract, stupor, respiratory depression, and refractory hypotension... 

OSHA PEL TWA 0.01 mg(As)/m3 Cancer Hazard TWA 0.2 mg(Se)/m3 ACGIH TLV TWA 0.01 mg/m Confirmed Human Carcinogen BEL 35 n (As)/L inorganic arsenic and methylated metabolites in urine TWA 0.2 mg(Se)/m3 DFG MAK DFG TRK 0.2 mg/m calculated as arsenic in that portion of dust that can possibly be inhaled 0.1 mg(Se)/m3 NIOSH REL CL 2 ng(As)/m3 SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed human carcinogen. When heated to decomposition it emits fumes of As and Se. Incompatible with oxidizing materials. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of Se and arsenic. See ARSENIC COMPOUNDS and SELENIUM COMPOUNDS. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion and inhalation. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes (at 2 ppm), and mucous membranes. Potentially explosive reaction with chlorobenzene + sodium, dimethyl sulfoxide, molten sodium, chromyl chloride, nitric acid, sodium peroxide, oxygen (above 100°C), tetravinyl lead. Reacts with carboxylic acids (e.g., acetic acid) to form violently unstable products. Violent reaction or ignition with Al, chromium pentafluoride, diallyl phosphite + allyl alcohol, F2, hexafluoroisopropylideneaminolithium, hydroxylamine, iodine chloride, PbOa, HNO2, organic matter, potassium, selenium dioxide, sulfur acids (e.g., sulfuric acid. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by inhalation. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of F and Se. See also SELENIUM COMPOUNDS and FLUORIDES. 

In industrial settings, inhalation may be a significant exposure pathway. Airborne concentrations of selenium are higher in the vicinity of metallurgical industries. Selenium is present in most sulfide ores and is generally a by-product of the roasting of copper pyrite. 

Hazard Dangerous fire and explosion risk reacts violently with oxidizing materials. Toxic by inhalation, strong irritant to skin, damaging to lungs and liver. TLV 0.05 ppm (as selenium). 

Levels of Significant Exposure to Selenium - Inhalation 3-2. Levels of Significant Exposure to Selenium - Oral 3-3. Levels of Significant Exposure to Selenium Sulfides - Oral 3-4. Metabolic Pathways for Selenium... 

Table 3-1 and Figure 3-1 describe the health effects observed in experimental animals that inhaled elemental selenium dust or hydrogen selenide. Studies using other forms of selenium were not used in the LSE tables and figures (Table 3-1 and Figure 3-1) because either the reporting of the studies was incomplete or no studies on other forms were located. All doses are expressed in terms of total selenium. 

No studies were located regarding death in humans after inhalation of elemental selenium or selenium compounds. 

In animals, the acute lethality of hydrogen selenide and elemental selenium dust when inhaled has been investigated. In guinea pigs exposed to hydrogen selenide for 2,4, or 8 hours, 5/16 died within 10 days of exposure at 12 mg selenium/m3, 3/16 died at 6 mg selenium/m3, and 8/16 died at 6 mg selenium/m3, respectively (Dudley and Miller 1941). 

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