Abstract
Neutralizing selenic acid with caustic soda caused a hyperintensive exothermic reaction, with about 450 1 of the reaction mixture erupting in a factory hall. A 44-year-old industrial worker was fatally intoxicated, suffering from second-degree skin burns, necrosis of oral mucous membranes and hemorrhagic lung edema. He died 90 min later. Analysis of body fluids and tissue samples showed high selenium concentrations in blood serum, urine, stomach content and lungs. The analytical results are discussed in comparison with normal selenium levels of non-exposed groups.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Aretz J, Lenaerts H, Einbrodt HJ (1980) Die biologische Wirkung von Selen und Selenverbindungen. Wiss Umwelt 3: 109–112
Borneff J (1982) Hygiene — ein Leitfaden für Studenten und Ärzte, 4. Aufl. Geog Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart
Chen X, Yang G, Chen J, Chen X, Wen Z, Ge K (1980) Studies on the relation of selenium and Keshan Disease. Biol Trace Elem Res 2: 91–107
Diskin DJ, Tomasso CL, Alper JC et al. (1979) Longterm selenium exposure. Arch Intern Med 139: 824
Ewan RC, Pope AL, Baumann CA (1967) J Nutr 91: 547–554
Ge K, Xue A, Bai J, Wang S (1983) Keshan Disease — an endemic cardiomyopathy in China. Virchows Arch (Pathol Anat) 401: 1–15
Glover GR (1983) Selenium and compounds. Encyclopedia of occupational health and safety, 3rd ed, International Labour Office (ILO), Geneva, pp 2017–2019
Glover J, Levander O, Parizek V, Vouk VB (1979) In: Friberg L, Nordberg GF, Vouk VB (eds): Handbook on the toxicology of metals, Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, pp 555–557
Hofsommer H-J, Bielig HJ (1980) Dtsch Lebensm Rundsch 76: 419–426
Oster O, Prellwitz W, Kasper W, Meinertz T (1983) Congestive cardiomayopathy and the selenium content of serum. Clin Chim Acta 128: 125–132
Schaller KH, Hampel G, Oefele C, Wilhelm E (1985) Untersuchungen zum Selengehalt im Blut von Normalpersonen und Dialysepatienten. 3. Colloquium für Atomspektrometrie, Konstanz 18–19. 3. 1985 VCH Verlag, Weinheim (in press)
Schierling P, Oefele C, Schaller KH (1982) Bestimmung von Arsen und Selen in Harnproben mit der Hydrid-AAS-Technik. Ärztl Lab 28: 21–27
Schrauzer GN (1985) Selen — essentielles Spurenelement und Krebsschutzfaktor. Münch Med Wschr 127: 731–734
Vanoeteren C, Cornelius R, Versieck J, Hoste J, de Roose J (1982) Trace element pattern in human lung tissues J Radioanal Chem 70: 219–238
Wester PO, Brune D, Nordberg GF (1981) Arsenic and selenium in lung, liver and kidney tissue from dead smelter workers. Br J Int Med 38: 179–184
Wiese U (1982) In: Ullmanns Encyklopädie d. techn. Chemie, 4. Aufl., Verlag Chemie, Weinheim 21: 227–234
Wilber CG (1980) Toxicology of selenium: A review. Clin Toxicol 17: 171–230
Willett WC, Morris JS, Pressel S, Taylor JO, Polk BF, Stampfer MJ, Rosner B, Schneider K, Harnes CG (1983) Prediagnostic serum selenium and risk of cancer. Lancet 130–133
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schellmann, B., Raithel, H.J. & Schaller, K.H. Acute fatal selenium poisoning. Arch Toxicol 59, 61–63 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263960
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263960