Selenium, powder and pieces

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SECTION 3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION Selenium, powder and pieces EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Poison by inhalation. ROUTE(S) OF ENTRY: Inhalation? Yes , Skin? Yes , Eyes? Yes , Ingestion? Yes Other: N POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS (ACUTE AND CHRONIC) Selenium compounds are poison by inhalation and intravenous routes. Some selenium compounds are experimental carcinogens. Long-term exposure may be a cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in humans, just as it may cause "blind staggers" in cattle. Elemental selenium has low acute systemic toxicity, but dust or fumes can cause serious irritation of the respiratory tract. Inorganic selenium compounds can cause dermatitis. Garlic odor of breath is a common symptom. Pallor, nervousness, depression, digestive disturbances and death have been reported in cases if chronic exposure. (Sax, Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, eighth edition) INHALATION: Acute: May cause irritation to the respiratory tract and acute selenium poisoning. Chronic: May cause chronic selenium poisoning. Continued intoxication may cause loss of nails and hair, hemolytic anemia, and kidney, liver and spleen damage. INGESTION: Acute: May cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Chronic: May cause chronic selenium toxicity. SKIN Acute May cause irritation Chronic: May cause dermatitis. EYE: Acute: May cause irritation. Chronic: No chronic health effects recorded. TARGET ORGANS: Upper respiratory system, eyes, skin, liver, kidneys and blood. RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE LIMITS See "Section II" LD 50 / LC 50 orl-rat LD50: 6700 mg/kg SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE INHALATION Acute selenium poisoning may cause nervousness, fever, vomiting, somnolence, drop in blood pressure, labored breathing and toxic action on the nervous system may lead to respiratory failure. Chronic selenium poisoning may cause: depression, marked pallor, coated tongue, gastrointestinal disorders, garlic odor of the breath. INGESTION Chronic selenium toxicity may cause alkali disease, loss of vitality, lameness, atrophy, cirrhosis of the liver, degeneration and necrosis of the myocardium. SKIN: May cause redness, itching, inflammation and burning. EYE: May cause redness, itching, burning and watering. MEDICAL CONDITIONS GENERALLY AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE Pre-existing respiratory and skin disorders.