Material Safety Data Sheet: Selenium Citrate

Identification

Product Name: Selenium Citrate
Chemical Formula: C₆H₅O₇Se
CAS Number: 23039-48-9
Manufacturer: [Input Manufacturer’s Name]
Contact Information: [Input Emergency Phone Number, Manufacturer Address]
Recommended Use: Laboratory research, supplementation in trace element analysis
Synonyms: Selenious acid, citrate complex

Hazard Identification

Hazard Class: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Eye irritation, Skin sensitization
Pictograms: Skull and Crossbones, Exclamation Mark
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with skin. Causes eye irritation. May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product, wear protective gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection. If exposed, seek medical advice promptly.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Selenium Citrate
Concentration: 98-100%
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of unreacted citric acid, residual water
Molecular Weight: 274.06 g/mol
Relevant Additives: None identified in standard preparations

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical evaluation for respiratory symptoms. Provide oxygen or artificial respiration if breathing is difficult.
Skin Contact: Flush skin with copious amounts of water and soap for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Get medical attention.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if easy to do. Continue rinsing. Obtain prompt medical help.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel. Seek immediate medical attention.
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation, headache, dizziness, skin redness, nausea, metal fume fever in high exposures

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, CO₂, water spray, or foam as applicable for surrounding fire.
Specific Hazards: Decomposition releases toxic fumes of selenium oxides and carbon oxides.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing to prevent contact with skin and eyes.
Other Information: Move containers from fire area if safe to do so. Avoid inhaling combustion products.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles, and lab coat. Evacuate unprotected personnel from area. Ensure adequate ventilation.
Spill Cleanup: Sweep up material carefully to minimize dust. Place in suitable labeled containers for disposal. Wash spill site with soap and water after cleanup.
Environmental Precautions: Avoid release into drains or waterways. Prevent further leakage if safe to do so.
Reporting: Notify authorities if large spills or contamination pose environmental risk.

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Use only in well-ventilated areas. Minimize dust generation.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed original container, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Protect from moisture, direct sunlight, and incompatible materials such as strong acids and bases.
Incompatible Substances: Avoid contact with oxidizing agents, reducing agents, strong acids.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL Selenium compounds (as Se): 0.2 mg/m³ TWA. ACGIH TLV: 0.2 mg/m³ TWA.
Engineering Controls: Use with local exhaust ventilation or process enclosure to minimize exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment: NIOSH-approved respirators for dust/mist, chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles or face shield, lab coat or coveralls.
Environmental Controls: Employ measures to prevent dust emission to the workplace environment.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to slightly yellow crystalline powder
Odor: Nearly odorless
Melting Point: Decomposes above 210°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Solubility: Freely soluble in water
pH: 2–3 (1% solution in water)
Vapor Pressure: Not determined
Density: Approx. 1.8–2.2 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not measured
Other Properties: Stable under normal lab conditions but sensitive to heat and moisture

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under standard storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Can react vigorously with strong acids, strong oxidizing agents, or bases
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flame, sources of ignition, humidity
Decomposition Products: Releases selenium oxides (toxic) and carbon oxides if decomposed by heat
Hazardous Polymerization: Not expected

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ (rat) estimated to be 7.8 mg/kg for selenium compounds; inhalation and dermal routes are also hazardous
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest tightness, garlic breath odor, eye and skin irritation, metal fume fever, pulmonary edema with high exposures
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposures can cause selenosis (hair loss, nail brittleness, neurological symptoms, fatigue)
Carcinogenicity: No clear evidence for selenium compounds in humans, but prolonged overexposure raises organ toxicity concerns
Mutagenicity: Low risk at trace supplementation; higher concentrations may pose genetic risk
Reproductive Toxicity: Data suggest high doses can impair fertility and fetal development in animal studies

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms; LC₅₀ (Fish, 96h): < 1 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Selenium compounds persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in the food chain, slow natural degradation
Bioaccumulation Potential: Bioaccumulates in aquatic and terrestrial organisms
Mobility in Soil: Moderate; depends on soil chemistry, mobility rises in low pH soils
Other Information: Spillage may cause serious long-term adverse effects to aquatic and terrestrial systems

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national, and international regulations
Product Disposal: Collect in sealed, labeled containers for hazardous waste landfill or chemical incinerator
Packaging Disposal: Decontaminate empty packaging before disposal or recycling; avoid releasing residues into environment
Special Precautions: Do not pour down drain or place in general waste. Seek professional hazardous waste collection

Transport Information

UN Number: 3283
UN Proper Shipping Name: Selenium compound, n.o.s.
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: II
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Transport Precautions: Keep containers upright and tightly sealed. Avoid direct sunlight, humidity, and rough handling during transportation.
Emergency Guidance: Follow applicable guidelines for emergency situations in transportation, such as those set out by IATA, DOT, IMDG

Regulatory Information

U.S. Regulations: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200): Classified as hazardous. SARA Title III (EPCRA) Section 313: Subject to reporting. RCRA Status: Listed hazardous waste when discarded.
EU Regulations: EC No 1272/2008 (CLP): Acute Tox. 3, H301 (Toxic if swallowed), H331 (Toxic if inhaled), H315 (Causes skin irritation), H319 (Causes serious eye irritation).
Canada: Regulated under WHMIS. TDG Classification: Toxic Substance.
International Inventories: Listed on major chemical inventories, including TSCA (U.S.), EINECS (EU), DSL (Canada).
Label Elements: Pictograms, hazard and precautionary statements required on packaging and shipping containers.