Sodium selenate

Human toxicity Elemental selenium metal has a relatively low order of toxicity. Acute poisoning with selenium and its salts are rare, however, in excessive amount toxic and even fatal action was documented. Normal whole blood selenium levels in adults range from 0.085 to 0.13 mg/l [2]. All selenium salts can produce toxicity by ingestion, inhalation, and percutaneous absorption, although specific information on the possible dermal absorption of sodium selenate was not found. Sodium selenate is the least toxic inorganic selenium form; sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) is more toxic [3]. Several toxic symptoms are listed here [1]: cardiovascular: ECG changes indicating myocardial damage; hypotension; in severe cases – fatal cardiac arrest; respiratory: pulmonary edema, respiratory tract irritation, cough, and respiratory failure; neurologic: CNS depression, convulsions (at acute selenium poisoning), dizziness, irritability, restlessness, headache, and coma; gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, salivation, and gastrointestinal pain.