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Selenium

Related Pages
RTECS #
VS7700000
CAS #
7782-49-2
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
June 2017
Molecular Weight
78.96
Molecular Formula
Se
Synonyms
C.I. 77805
Colloidal selenium
Elemental selenium
Selen (Polish)
Selenate
Selenium (ACGIH)
Selenium alloy
Selenium base
Selenium dust
Selenium elemental
Selenium homopolymer
Vandex

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/mouse 134 mg/kg (multigenerations)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death		AEHLAU 23,102,1971
oral/rat 1.925 mg/kg (56D prior to copulation/1-21D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Other neonatal measures or effectsFCTOD7 48,3486,2010

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/mouse lowest published toxic dose: 480 mg/kg/60D- continuousTumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Skin and Appendages: Tumors		YMBUA7 11,368,1960

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 33 mg/m3/8HBlood: Hemorrhage

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight		AMIHBC 4,458,1951
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 30 mg/m3Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation		HBTME* -,783,2007
intravenous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 2500 µg/kgJOBSAK 35,693,1928
intravenous/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 6 mg/kgAMIHBC 4,458,1951
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 6700 mg/kgBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Other changes		TXAPA9 20,89,1971
parenteral/cattle lowest published lethal dose: 0.5 mg/kgLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea

Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of salivary glands		VCVN5* -,268,1993

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
oral/human lowest published toxic dose: 23.7 mg/kg/13W- continuousBehavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Skin and Appendages: Other: Hair

Skin and Appendages: Other: Nails		VCVN5* -,273,1989
oral/human lowest published toxic dose: 2.38 mg/kg/7D- intermittentGastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea

Skin and Appendages: Other: Hair

Skin and Appendages: Other: Nails		CTOXAO 47,745,2009
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 3 mg/kg/30D- intermittentLiver: Other changes

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases		PHREP* 60,199,2008

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Human Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 9,245,1975
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate EvidenceIMEMDT 9,245,1975
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Group 3IMSUDL 7,56,1987
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCTOXAO 6,459,1973
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCTOXAO 5,175,1972
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCRTXB2 4(3),271,1976
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWJAVMA4 164,277,1974
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCTOXAO 5,151,1972
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWIJMDAI 10,416,1974
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWJAMAAP 116,562,1941
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCHREAY 28,179,1941
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWADTEAS 5,51,1972
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWPHREA7 23,305,1943
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWFOREAE 7,313,1942
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWKOTTAM 11,1300,1975
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW85CVA2 5,63,1970
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWPEXTAR 12,102,1969
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWBNYMAM 54,413,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAMTODM 3,209,1977
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWJEPTDQ 4(1),193,1980
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMEHYDY 5,877,1979
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCTOXAO 17,171,1980
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWJACTDZ 5(1),45,1986
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOLED5 137,103,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWPHTOEH 93,105,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNRTXDN 27,429,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTOXID9 227,1,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWJJATDK 26,191,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,774,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWREPTED 23,260,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHBTME* ,783,2007
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHTOPA* 1,595,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 690,71,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,629,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTXCYAC 278,27,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWREPTED 38,1,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 733,1,2012
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWFCTOD7 86,298,2015
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 770,12,2016

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.2 mg(Se)/m3DTLVS* 3,224,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.1 mg/m3;KZW 0.3 mg/m3, inhal, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.1 mg(Se)/m3, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 0.02 mg/m3, inhal, skin, 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 0.4 mg/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPANOccupational Exposure Limit 0.1 mg/m3, MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0,2 mg/m3, JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 0.1 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 0.3 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAtime-weighted average 2 mg/m3, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3 (total dust), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 0.02 mg/m3, KZG-week 0.16 mg/m3, inhal, skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 0.1 mg(Se)/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.2 mg(Se)/m3CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.2 mg(Se)/m3CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.2 mg(Se)/m3CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.2 mg(Se)/m3CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO SELENIUM COMPOUNDS (as Se)-air10H time-weighted average 0.2 mg/m3NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code X2074; Number of Industries 2; Total Number of Facilities 105; Number of Occupations 2; Total Number of Employees Exposed 105
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 68295; Number of Industries 23; Total Number of Facilities 1102; Number of Occupations 68; Total Number of Employees Exposed 27208; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 9632
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 68295; Number of Industries 8; Total Number of Facilities 403; Number of Occupations 10; Total Number of Employees Exposed 2147

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/97/121032/AS)
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Elements by ICP, 7300
On EPA IRIS database
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID-125G
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health