SODIUM TELLURITE

Chemical properties

White powder. Soluble in water.

Chemical properties

Sodium tellurite is a white crystalline solid.

The Uses of SODIUM TELLURITE

Disodium Tellurite is an effector towards the thyroid hormone system due to it being of a similar group to selenium. Tellurium accumulates in the thyroid gland and influences the zinc thyroid level. I t is also damaging towards DNA in TK6 human lymphoblastoid cells.

The Uses of SODIUM TELLURITE

Sodium tellurite(IV) acts as an intermediate used in the extraction of the tellurium. It is used to make corrosion-resistant electroplated nickel. It is also used to add a bluish coating to iron, steel and aluminum. It serves as a growth medium for bacteria in microbiology.

General Description

White crystals. Used in bacteriology and medicine.

Air & Water Reactions

Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

SODIUM TELLURITE is a weak reducing agent.

Hazard

Toxic by ingestion.

Health Hazard

The material is both an oral and dermal toxic hazard. The material is toxic by ingestion. Oral ingestion of tellurium compounds is generally regarded as extremely toxic. The probable oral lethal dose is 5-50 mg/kg or between 7 drops and 1 teaspoonful for a 70 kg (150 pound) person. Tellurium compounds are regarded as super toxic for skin exposures.

Fire Hazard

When heated to decomposition, SODIUM TELLURITE emits toxic fumes of tellurium and sodium monoxide.

Safety Profile

Human poison by ingestion and parenteral routes. Experimental poison by ingestion, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Human systemic effects by ingestion: coma; dyspnea; nausea or vomiting. Human mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Te and Na2O. See also TELLURIUM.

Potential Exposure

Used in bacteriology and medicine. Formerly used as pesticide.

Shipping

UN3284 Tellurium compound, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required. UN2811 Toxic solids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required.

Incompatibilities

A weak reducing agent. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, cadmium, halogens. Reaction with oxidizers may generate heat and products that may be flammable, combustible, or otherwise reactive.