Selenium Dioxide Toxicity - Health Hazards and Its First Aid Measures

Introduction

Selenium dioxide is a chemical that is recommended to be used in absolutely small portions because of the iron impurities present in it and also for creating colorless glass. Selenium is basically a mineral that is found in soil, water, and some foods. It plays an important role in many body processes by increasing the antioxidant effects in the body. Some good sources of selenium are foods like crab, fish, poultry, and wheat. Among all the uses of selenium, the most common one is for the correction of selenium deficiency in order to reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy. It is also used for treating complications that statin drugs cause, such as prostate cancer, cataracts, and high cholesterol levels. Despite all these uses, it is still considered a toxic substance because of the health hazards it causes.

How to Identify Selenium Dioxide?

Selenium dioxide is basically a white to cream colored crystalline powder or needle shaped solid substance that is used as an oxidizing agent or antioxidant in the form of catalysts or reagents and also in lubricating oils.

How and Why Is Selenium Dioxide Considered Toxic?

Selenium dioxide is a very toxic chemical that affects the human body if breathed in or passed through the skin. On coming in contact with the skin, it leads to skin rashes or a sensation of burning. Synthetic dioxide is also responsible for causing irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. This chemical compound is extremely toxic to some aquatic organisms and causes adverse effects in the aquatic environment that are sometimes long term.

What Are the Health Hazards Caused by Selenium Dioxide Toxicity?

Acute Health Hazards -

• Selenium dioxide causes extreme irritation to the skin leading to rashes and sensation of burning.

• The toxic effects generally start showing up from the ingestion of this toxic substance and according to scientific studies and researches, if the ingestion is of less than 40 grams, it causes severe damage to the health of the individual.

• Some acute effects of selenium dioxide toxicity include convulsions, drowsiness, frontal headaches, nervousness and also death if there is respiratory depression.

• Skin eruptions, tiredness, upset stomach, stinking breath discolored to the loss of hair and nails are also examples of acute health hazards caused by selenium dioxide.

• On coming in contact with the eyes, it might lead to transient discomfort along with conjunctival redness, which also might cause slight abrasive damage in the future.

• Prolonged exposure to the skin leads to extreme abrasive images. On coming in contact with the skin, this toxic substance would impact the health of the individual leading to various damages. Irritated, abraded skin is also a very common health hazard along with open cuts.

• If this toxic substance manages to get into the bloodstream through the cuts, lesions or abrasions it might lead to systemic injuries with very harmful and permanent damages. This is why it is extremely important for the people handling this toxic substance to examine the skin condition before handling this material to avoid any further external damage.

• Respiratory discomforts are also not uncommon in case of inhalation of dust or fumes for prolonged time periods.

• If someone has conditions with their respiratory system or has airway diseases and other conditions like emphysema or chronic bronchitis, they might find themselves getting affected by further disabilities if excessive concentrations of the toxic substance are inhaled.

• On inhaling small particles of die oxide metal, it would lead to sudden thirst, metallic foul taste, dry and irritated throat, coughing, dry mucus membrane, tiredness and overall illness along with headaches, vomiting, fever, restlessness, diarrhea and excessive urination.

Chronic Health Hazards -

• Long term occupational exposure is something that leads to chronic health hazards. If there is a prolonged exposure to the high dust concentrations, lung functions are bound to get impaired causing pneumoconiosis which is actually caused by particles which are less than even point five micron and penetrate inside the lungs and never get out. The symptoms of this disease are breathlessness and shadows seen on X-rays.

• The lining of the bronchi (the tube that carries the air from the windpipe to the lungs) can also get irritated due to long exposure to selenium and its compounds.

• Gastrointestinal issues and irritation of the nasopharynx, persistent foul garlic bread are also common chronic health effects that lead to irritability, extreme tiredness, pallor and a metallic taste in the mouth.

• Damages to the kidney and liver are also very common.

• All the chronic health hazards caused by selenium dioxide tooth decay is also a very common thing to notice.

• Other issues include gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, depression, fatigue, lumbar pain, dizziness, emotional instability, and effects to the liver and spleen.

What Are the First Aid Measures to Prevent the Further Damage Caused by the Toxicity of Selenium Dioxide?

• In situations where the substance is swallowed,

  • One needs to seek medical intervention as soon as possible without delay.

  • Reaching out to a poison information center or a doctor is the first thing that needs to be done.

  • Urgent hospital treatment is the best thing that can be provided.

  • While hospital help is coming, a qualified personnel should be appointed for treating the patient after considering the observations and other supportive measures keeping in mind the victim's health condition.

• In situations where this toxic substance comes into contact with the eyes, the eyelids should be held apart while running water is continuously flushed through the eyes. One has to make sure complete irrigation of the eye has been done by keeping the eye leaves apart and away from the eye while occasionally moving the eye leaves by lifting the lower lids.

• If the substance comes in contact with the skin, one has to immediately remove the contaminated clothing, including the footwear, and flush running water through the skin and hair until medical attention is given by doctors.

• If the substance is inhaled, the patient has to be laid down and kept warm. If the person is wearing any prosthesis like false teeth or dentures that might block airway it should be removed before starting the initial first aid processes. In case the person is not breathing normally artificial respiration should be applied with a demand valve resuscitator, bag valve mask device or pocket mask. If the situation demands, a CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can also be performed.

Conclusion

Selenium dioxide is an extremely toxic substance that can only be managed by people who are trained and well aware of the toxic hazards that it causes. Personal protective equipment is mandatory while handling this substance, along with following proper workplace practices.