| Agent Name |
Hydrogen selenide |
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| CAS Number |
7783-07-5 |
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| Formula |
H2-Se |
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| Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Synonyms |
Dihydrogen selenide; Electronic E-2; Hydrogen selenide (H2Se); Selane; Selenium anhydride; Selenium dihydride; Selenium hydride; [ChemIDplus] UN2202 |
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| Category |
Hydrides |
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| Description |
Colorless gas with an odor resembling decayed horse radish. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.]; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in semiconductor preparation and in organic synthesis; a product of the reaction of acids and inorganic selenides; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
Experimental animals show signs of respiratory irritation and die after 8 hour exposures of 1 mg/m3 (0.3 ppm). Pathological examination shows evidence of liver damage. Inhalation of hydrogen selenide by workers has caused eye, nose, and respiratory irritation. Pulmonary edema is a potential toxic effect. [ACGIH] Hydrogen selenide "is probably the only selenium compound that might pose a health concern in the workplace." [ATSDR ToxFAQs] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause liver injury; May cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] See "Selenium and compounds." |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR - ToxFAQs�: Selenium |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TIH |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.05 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
0.05 ppm |
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| MAK |
0.01 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
1 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: Although very toxic, no fatalities have been reported, possibly because hydrogen selenide is easily oxidized to red selenium on the surface of mucous membranes of the nose and throat [Friberg et al. 1979]. Concentrations of 1.5 ppm have been found to be intolerable due to eye and nasal irritation [Dudley and Miller 1941]. |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
0.3 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LCLo (rats) = 20 mg/m3/1H |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA; |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: HYDROGEN SELENIDE
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