Sodium tellurite
Agent Name
Sodium tellurite
CAS Number
10102-20-2
Formula
O3-Te.2Na
Major Category
Metals
Synonyms
Sodium tellurate; Sodium tellurate(IV); Telluric acid (H2TeO3), disodium salt; Tellurous acid, disodium salt; Disodium trioxotellurate; [ChemIDplus] UN3284
Category
Metalloid Compounds (Tellurium)
Description
White solid; [Merck Index] White powder; [MSDSonline] Soluble in hot water; [Sax]
Sources/Uses
Used in bacteriology; [Hawley]
Comments
Highly toxic by ingestion and skin absorption; [CAMEO] Two fatal cases were reported in which sodium tellurite, instead of sodium iodide, was accidentally injected by retrograde pyelography at a dose of about 30 mg/kg; Oral LD50 (rat) = 20 mg/kg; [HSDB] An irritant; [MSDSonline] See "Tellurium."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
TLV (ACGIH)
0.1 mg/m3, as Te
PEL (OSHA)
0.1 mg/m3, as Te
IDLH (NIOSH)
25 mg/m3, as Te
Explanatory Notes
The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Tellurium compound, n.o.s."
Half Life
Biological half-time = about 3 weeks; [HSDB]
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.