Sodium Tellurite

H300 (17.8%): Fatal if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H301 (82.2%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]

H311 (58.9%): Toxic in contact with skin [Danger Acute toxicity, dermal]

H317 (24.4%): May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]

H330 (13.3%): Fatal if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H331 (45.6%): Toxic if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H332 (24.4%): Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]

H360D (24.4%): May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]

H411 (24.4%): Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]

P203, P260, P261, P262, P264, P270, P271, P272, P273, P280, P284, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P316, P317, P318, P320, P321, P330, P333+P317, P361+P364, P362+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 90 reports by companies from 7 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website.

Signs and Symptoms of Sodium Tellurite Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute sodium tellurite exposure include the following: headache, metallic taste in mouth, garlic odor on breath, dry mouth and throat, drowsiness, dizziness, and lassitude. Anorexia (loss of appetite), nausea, vomiting, and constipation may be noted. Sodium tellurite may cause dermatitis on skin contact.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to sodium tellurite may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:

1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to sodium tellurite.

2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.

3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.

4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:

1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to sodium tellurite.

3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.

4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.

5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.

6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.

7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:

1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.

2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.

3. Vomiting may be induced with syrup of Ipecac. If elapsed time since ingestion of sodium tellurite is unknown or suspected to be greater than 30 minutes, do not induce vomiting and proceed to Step

4. Ipecac should not be administered to children under 6 months of age. Warning: Syrup of Ipecac should be administered only if victims are alert, have an active gag-reflex, and show no signs of impending seizure or coma. If ANY uncertainty exists, proceed to Step

4. The following dosages of Ipecac are recommended: children up to 1 year old, 10 mL (1/3 oz); children 1 to 12 years old, 15 mL (1/2 oz); adults, 30 mL (1 oz). Ambulate (walk) the victims and give large quantities of water. If vomiting has not occurred after 15 minutes, Ipecac may be readministered. Continue to ambulate and give water to the victims. If vomiting has not occurred within 15 minutes after second administration of Ipecac, administer activated charcoal.

4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.

5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.

6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

TELLURIUM & CMPD MAY BE DISPOSED OF IN SEALED CONTAINERS IN A SECURED SANITARY LANDFILL. /TELLURIUM & CMPD/

Avoid inhalation and skin contact. (EPA, 1998)

0.52 [mg/m3]

3.5 [mg/m3]

21 [mg/m3]

0.1 [mg/m3], as Te

25.0 [mg/m3], as Te

8 Hr Time-Weighted Avg (TWA): 0.1 mg/cu m. /Tellurium and compounds (NOS), as Te, excluding hydrogen telluride/

Excursion Limit Recommendation: Excursions in worker exposure levels may exceed 3 times the TLV-TWA for no more than a total of 30 minutes during a work day, and under no circumstances should they exceed 5 times the TLV-TWA, provided that the TLV-TWA is not exceeded. /Tellurium and compounds (NOS), as Te, excluding hydrogen telluride/

USSR: 0.01 mg/cu (1967). /Tellurium & cmpd/

For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)

Sodium tellurite appears as white crystals. Used in bacteriology and medicine. (EPA, 1998)

White solid; [Merck Index] White powder; [MSDSonline] Soluble in hot water; [Sax]

Rhombic prism

White powder

greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)

Slightly sol in cold water; sol in hot water

When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of /tellurium & disodium oxide/.

Metals -> Metalloid Compounds (Tellurium)

Water soluble.

Salts, Basic

Reducing Agents, Weak

Weak inorganic reducing agents, such as SODIUM TELLURITE, react with oxidizing agents to generate heat and products that may be flammable, combustible, or otherwise reactive.

Neurotoxin - Other CNS neurotoxin

Occupational hepatotoxin - Secondary hepatotoxins: the potential for toxic effect in the occupational setting is based on cases of poisoning by human ingestion or animal experimentation.

Reproductive Toxin - A chemical that is toxic to the reproductive system, including defects in the progeny and injury to male or female reproductive function. Reproductive toxicity includes developmental effects. See Guidelines for Reproductive Toxicity Risk Assessment.

LD50 Mouse oral 20 mg/kg

LD50 Rat oral 83 mg/kg

LD50 Rat ip 2400 ug/kg

LD50 Rabbit oral 53,600 ug/kg

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to determine the interactions between the incorporation of selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) in the liver, kidneys, heart, spleen, lung and small intestine of Balby mice following the intraperitoneal injection of selenocystine and sodium-tellurite in mice injected with salts of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and zinc (Zn). The levels of cobalt (Co), rubidium (Rb), iron (Fe), and mercury (Hg) in the organs of the treated animals were determined. The results demonstrated a competitive interaction between As and Se or Te, and also between Se and Cd. The levels of Co, Fe, Rb, and Hg in the organs examined changed following injection, the corresponding concentrations depending on the injected compounds, although no clear correlations were established between the contents of Co and Fe and the injected compounds. The injection of Se, Te, or Cd resulted in the competitive displacement of Hg, with subsequent increase in the levels of Hg in the small intestine and kidney. Cd had the same effect on Fe, Co, and Rb in the small intestine and kidney, and the levels of Rb also increased following the injection of Se, Zn or As compounds.

Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway. Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if needed. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with normal saline during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressings after decontamination ... . /Poison A and B/

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in respiratory arrest. Positive pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias as necessary ... . Start an IV with D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. Watch for signs of fluid overload. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam (Valium) ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Poison A and B/

If the avg urinary tellurium concn for a whole shift of workers exceeds 0.05 mg/l, the working conditions for the shift should be investigated. /Tellurium/

/The investigators/ ... described 3 cases of accidental tellurium poisoning where sodium tellurite soln were given instead of sodium iodide during retrograde pyelography. In 2 cases, the dose is about 2 g (approx 30 mg/kg). Two patients died after about 6 hr; death was preceded by vomiting, renal pain, stupor, loss of consciousness, irregular breathing, & cyanosis. Autopsy revealed deposition of black tellurium in the mucosa of the bladder & of the ureter; congestion of lung, liver, spleen, & kidneys; & fatty change of the liver.

A significant incr of chromosome breakage incidence was observed in human leukocytes treated in vitro with sodium tellurite (1.2X10-8 mol/l) ... .

Toxic by ingestion.

Two fatalities occurred after unintentional treatment with 2 g of sodium tellurite by ureteral catheter. The patients died 6 hr post-treatment after experiencing emesis, dyspnea, cyanosis, lapse of consciousness, stupor, & renal pain. Autopsy revealed acute fatty degeneration & edema of the liver.

Cases of sodium tellurite poisoning were presented. A 40 year old male reported to the hospital with left renal pain. The patient was anesthetized and examined with a cystoscope. In what was intended to be a sodium iodide solution was injected and the patient left the hospital in good condition. Three hours later the patient was readmitted suffering great pain. After 2 hours he became cyanotic, dyspneic, and died. Another male, aged 21, had a urinary tract infection treated with calcium mandelate and ammonium chloride. After the injection of what was intended to be sodium-iodide he too developed a mild cyanosis with anemia but recovered within 2 months. A third male, aged 31, also received what was intended to be sodium iodide during the course of cystoscopy. He suffered a progressive cyanosis that caused his death. All three patients had a characteristic garlic odor to their breath. Chemical analysis of the blood revealed that the supposed sodium iodide was actually sodium tellurite. The authors conclude that sodium tellurite causes cyanosis through the formation of sulfhemoglobin.

Long-term ingestion of sodium tellurite ... (1-50 mg/kg body wt, 3-7 months) was accompanied by dark inclusions and degenerative changes in the small intestines of rats and rabbits ... .

Lifetime exposure of rats and of mice to sodium tellurite ... (2 mg tellurium/l drinking water) had no effect on growth and survival rate of males but tellurite reduced the life span of female mice.

Pathomorphological changes in the liver reported as resulting from exposure to tellurium cmpd /rats and rabbits, sodium tellurite, gavage of 5 and 10 mg/kg body wt for 3 months, and of 0.5 mg/kg for 7 months/ range from simple cellular swelling to hydropic and fatty degeneration and cell necrosis.

Impairment of glycogen function, detoxifying functions and of protein metabolism as indicated by dose-related reduction of galactose tolerance, hippuric acid excretion, decr of albumin/globulin ratio in serum, urinary bilirubin excretion, inhibition of cholinesterase, were observed ... /in/ subacute and chronic studies in rats and rabbits, oral admin of sodium tellurite, 0.5-10 mg tellurium/kg body wt.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for SODIUM TELLURITE (18 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

TELLURIUM & CMPD MAY BE DISPOSED OF IN SEALED CONTAINERS IN A SECURED SANITARY LANDFILL. /TELLURIUM & CMPD/