Mercury(II) selenide

Agent Name
Mercury(II) selenide
CAS Number
20601-83-6
Formula
Hg-Se
Major Category
Metals
Synonyms
Mercury-selenium complex; Mercuric selenide; Mercury monoselenide; Mercury selenide; Mercury(2+) selenide; [ChemIDplus] UN2025
Category
Mercury Compounds, Inorganic
Description
Gray odorless powder; Insoluble in water; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]
Sources/Uses
Used in semiconductors (solar cells), transistors, infrared detectors, and amplifiers; [Hawley]
Comments
An irritant; Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption; May have cumulative adverse effects to health; [Alfa Aesar MSDS] See "Mercury, inorganic compounds and the linked occupational disease."
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.025 mg/m3, as Hg (0.2 mg/m3, as Se)
PEL (OSHA)
0.1 mg/m3, as Hg (0.2 mg/m3, as Se)
MAK
0.02 mg/m3, as Hg, inhalable fraction (0.02 mg/m3, inhalable fraction, as Se)
IDLH (NIOSH)
10 mg/m3, as Hg
Explanatory Notes
The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Mercury compound, solid, n.o.s."

Adverse Effects

Neurotoxin
Sensorimotor
Nephrotoxin
Yes
Reproductive Toxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Not classifiable
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: