| GHS classification | DangerH360Df: May damage the unborn childSuspected of damaging fertility [Danger Reproductive toxicity]P203, P260, P263, P264, P270, P280, P318, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.8% (4 of 527) of reports.H301 (18.6%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral] |
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| Regulatory information | Chemical: TelluriumHazard Traits - Reproductive ToxicityTellurium is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Tellurium are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)Status: Active Update: 16-11-2022 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/14525Tellurium: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standardThe New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.) |
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| DOT label | Poison |
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| Fire hazards | A finely divided suspension of elemental tellurium in air will explode. Burning tellurium produces toxic tellurium oxide gas. Avoid solid sodium, halogens, interhalogens, metals, hexalithium disilicide. Reacts with nitric acidreacts with concentrated sulfuric acid forming a red solution. Dissolves in potassium hydroxide in the presence of air with formation of deep red solutioncombines with halogens. Avoid antimony and chlorine trifluoridechlorine trifluoride reacts vigorously with tellurium producing flame. Fluorine and tellurium react with incandescence. Lithium silicide attacks tellurium with incandescence. Reaction with zinc is accompanied by incandescence (same potential with cadmium, only hazard is less). A vigorous reaction results when liquid tellurium is poured over solid sodium. (EPA, 1998)Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:Combustible. Finely dispersed particles form explosive mixtures in air. |
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| Fire potential | FIRE HAZARD: MODERATE, IN FORM OF DUST WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT OR FLAME OR BY CHEM REACTION WITH OXIDIZING AGENTS.ELEMENTAL TELLURIUM WILL BURN SLOWLY IN AIR. |
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| Health hazards | Causes central nervous system depression. Moderate skin and eye irritant. Tellurium is capable of doing harm within the body by replacing the essential element sulfur. (EPA, 1998)Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]: |
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| Hazards summary | The TLV excludes the compound hydrogen telluride (H2Te). Garlic odor of the breath, urine, and sweat are signs of tellurium absorption. Foundry workers exposed to 0.01-0.1 mg/m3 with a peak of 0.74 mg/m3 complained of metallic taste, somnolence, and garlic odor. Signs of tellurium poisoning in experimental animals include pneumonitis, hemolytic anemia, hematuria, paralysis, convulsions, and coma. In 2 cases of human poisoning after instillation of 2 grams of sodium tellurite by ureteral catheter, the patients suffered cyanosis, stupor, and signs of liver injury and died 6 hours after the accident. There have not been any reports of serious occupational illnesses or deaths. [ACGIH] Causes damage to the nervous system, liver, kidneys, and heart in animal experiments[Nordberg, p. 1217] In high-dose animal studies, tellurium produces birth defects (hydrocephalus). [Frazier] Tellurium is a hepatotoxic agent. [Zimmerman, p. 4] Tellurium is a skin and respiratory tract irritant. It can have effects on the CNS and liver. [ICSC] See Tellurium hexafluoride. |
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| Reactive group | Metals, Less Reactive |
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| Reactivity Alerts | Pyrophoric |
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| OSHA Standards | Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 8-hr Time Weighted Avg: 0.1 mg/cu m. /Tellurium and compounds, as Te/ |
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| Reactivity Profile | TELLURIUM is attacked by chlorine fluoride with incandescence. When tellurium and potassium are warmed in an atmosphere of hydrogen, combination occurs with incandescence [Mellor 11:40. 1946-47]. Burning tellurium produces toxic tellurium oxide gas. Avoid solid sodium, halogens, interhalogens, metals, hexalithium disilicide. Reacts with nitric acidreacts with concentrated sulfuric acid forming a red solution. Dissolves in potassium hydroxide in the presence of air with formation of deep red solutioncombines with halogens. Avoid antimony and chlorine trifluoridechlorine trifluoride reacts vigorously with tellurium producing flame. Fluorine and tellurium react with incandescence. Lithium silicide attacks tellurium with incandescence. Reaction with zinc is accompanied by incandescence (same potential with cadmium, only hazard is less). A vigorous reaction results when liquid tellurium is poured over solid sodium [EPA, 1998].Mixtures of tellurium tetrabromide or tellurium tetrachloride with ammonia produces tellurium nitride complexes that are explosive upon heating. Tellurium trioxide is a powerful oxidant, which reacts violently when heated with a variety of metallic and non metallic materials. Noncombustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. |
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| Chemical Dangers | Upon heating, toxic fumes are formed. Decomposes on heating. This produces toxic fumes. Reacts vigorously with halogens and interhalogens. This generates fire hazard. Reacts with zinc with incandescence. Lithium silicide attacks tellurium with incandescence. |
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| Flammable Limits | Combustible Solid |
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| Fire fighting | Straight water streams will scatter molten tellurium oxide. Wear goggles, rubber gloves, and proper respirator with filter.Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:Use foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder. |
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| First aid measures | Fresh air, rest. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention.Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.Rinse mouth. Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Refer for medical attention . |
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| First aid | Signs and Symptoms of Acute Tellurium Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to tellurium may include drowsiness, malaise, lassitude, weakness, and dizziness. Gastrointestinal symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and constipation. A metallic taste, garlicky breath, and profuse sweating may be noted. Kidney damage, liver injury, and pulmonary effects may also occur. Dermal exposure may result in dermatitis (red, inflamed skin).Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:(General first aid procedures) |
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| Safe storage | Separated from halogens and interhalogens. |
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| Cleanup methods | 1. VENTILATE AREA OF SPILL OR LEAK. 2. COLLECT SPILLED MATERIAL IN THE MOST CONVENIENT & SAFE MANNER & DEPOSIT IN SEALED CONTAINERS FOR RECLAMATION OR FOR DISPOSAL IN A SECURED SANITARY LANDFILL. LIQUIDS CONTAINING TELLURIUM & CMPD SHOULD BE ABSORBED IN VERMICULITE, DRY SAND, EARTH, OR A SIMILAR MATERIAL. |
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| Nonfire spill response | Caution : When heated to decomposition, toxic fumes of tellurium oxide will be emitted. Avoid sources of extreme heat.Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]: |
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| Spillage disposal | Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered sealable containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations. |
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| Preventive Measures | SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning. |
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| Isolation and Evacuation | Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]: |
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| Eye Prevention | Wear safety goggles or eye protection in combination with breathing protection if powder. |
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| Fire Prevention | NO open flames. Closed system, dust explosion-proof electrical equipment and lighting. Prevent deposition of dust. |
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| Inhalation Risk | Evaporation at 20 °C is negligiblea harmful concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached quickly when dispersed. |
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| Interactions | Selenium is known to form complexes with heavy metals in the blood and thus increase the retention time of the metals in several organs, especially in the reticulo-endothelial system. Selenium may similarly cause retention of mercury in the lung after metallic mercury (Hg0) inhalation. This study, comparing the effects of tellurium with those of selenium (both in group '6b' of the periodical system), showed that Te(IV) was as effective as Se(IV) and Se(VI) (all given in a dose of 10 mumol/kg body wt.) in retaining inhaled 203Hg0 (1.5 mumol/kg body wt.) in the lung (presumably 203Hg2+ after oxidation). Te(VI) had to be given in a dose of 100 mumol/kg body wt to produce the same effect. As in the lung, also in other organs tellurium caused a dose-dependent increase in mercury retention. At a dose level of 10 mumol Te(IV) per kg body wt. the mercury retention ratios (treated/control) were 140 for the lung and 8.6 for the whole body. The corresponding figures for Te(VI) (10, 30 and 100 mumol/kg body wt.) were 10, 73 and 120 and 3.7, 3.9 and 4.3, respectively. Retention of i.v. injected 203HgCl2 was increased by pre-administration of tellurium, again in a dose-dependent manner and Te(IV) being 3-10 times more effective than Te(VI). The kidney and the spleen were the dominant organs, as is the case after Se pretreatment. Anions of other elements, arsenite, arsenate, chromate, molybdate and wolframate (30 mumol/kg body wt.), did not affect the retention of 203Hg in lung or any other organ, or in the whole body after inhalation of 203Hg0. It is suggested that Te(IV) may easily be reduced to Te2- (in analogy with selenium) which may complex with Hg2+. The liability for Te(VI) to be reduced to Te2- appears to be approx. 10 times lower. |
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| Target organs | Skin, central nervous system, blood |
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| Adverse effects | Neurotoxin - Other CNS neurotoxin |
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| Exposure routes | The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol.inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact |
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| Signs and Symptoms | Drowsiness. Metallic taste. Headache. Garlic odour. Nausea.Redness. Pain.Abdominal pain. Constipation. Vomiting. Further see Inhalation.Garlic breath, sweatingdry mouth, metallic tasteanorexia, nausea, no sweatingdermatitisIn Animals: central nervous system, red blood cell changes |
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| Medical Surveillance | 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. |
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| Human Toxicity Excerpts | ... EXPOSURE TO TELLURIUM FUME OCCURRED ... POURING ... TELLURIUM-COPPER ALLOY ... ONLY ... SYMPTOM ... GARLIC ODOR. TELLURIUM WAS PRESENT IN URINE IN AMT FROM 0.008 TO 0.106 MG/L. SKIN LESIONS ... DRY, SCALY ITCHING PATCHES & LOSS OF SWEAT FUNCTION ... .Tellurium is one of the rarest elements on earth. Intoxications are rare & almost exclusively occupationally exposed workers are affected. Only a few cases of non- occupational poisoning have been reported so far. Severe poisoning results in respiratory depression & circulatory collapse. After occupational exposure main symptoms & signs include loss of appetite, dryness of the mouth, suppression of sweating, a metallic taste in the mouth, & most notable, a sharp garlic odor of the breath, sweat & urine.THE GARLIC ODOR OF SWEAT WAS A GOOD INDICATOR OF THE ABSORPTION OF TELLURIUM.Exposure of iron foundry workers to concns of 0.01 & 0.1 mg Te/cu m for 22 months produced mild GI distress, the characteristic garlic odor, dryness of the mouth, metallic taste, & somnolence.For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for TELLURIUM, ELEMENTAL (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page. |
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| Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts | ... IN CATS, CHRONIC POISONING ... INDUCED BY INJECTION OF OILY SUSPENSION OF METALLIC TELLURIUM SC OR IM, & ... FOUND AFTER 3 MO TO CAUSE DEGENERATIVE CHANGES IN GANGLION CELLS OF RETINA & IN BRAIN ... RETINAL GANGLION CELLS ... DEVELOPED HONEYCOMBED VACUOLAR DEGENERATION ... .... POISONING OF MONKEYS ... PRODUCED ENCEPHALOPATHY & CHANGES IN RETINAL GANGLION CELLS, OPTIC NERVES, OPTIC TRACTS, & IN LATERAL GENICULATE BODIES. NO DESCRIPTION ... PUBLISHED ON EFFECTS ON VISION OR ON RELATED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS.BRAINS OF RATS TREATED ORALLY WITH 0.2 G TELLURIUM DAY FOR 2-6 MO SHOWED INCR IN LIPOFUSCIN PIGMENTS IN NEURONAL PARENCHYMA.RATS FED 0.2 G/DAY TELLURIUM SHOWED BLACK BRAIN CAUSED BY DARK TELLURIUM PARTICLES LOCALIZED IN LIPOFUSCIN GRANULES IN NEURON CYTOPLASM THROUGHOUT BRAIN, PROBABLY DUE TO EFFECTS OF TELLURIUM ON BRAIN MITOCHONDRIA.For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for TELLURIUM, ELEMENTAL (35 total), please visit the HSDB record page. |
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| Antidote and Emergency Treatment | 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/... BAL VALUELESS IN THERAPY OF EXPOSURE TO TELLURIUM ... IT ENHANCES ITS TOXICITY, POSSIBLY BY FORMATION OF DIMERCAPROL-TELLURIUM COMPLEX.THERE IS PRESENTLY NO ANTIDOTE FOR TELLURIUM POISONING.For more Antidote and Emergency Treatment (Complete) data for TELLURIUM, ELEMENTAL (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page. |
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| Toxicity Data | LC50 (rat) > 2,420 mg/m3/4h |
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| Non-Human Toxicity Values | LD50 Rat oral 83 mg/kgLD50 Rabbit oral 67 mg/kgLD50 Guinea pig oral 45 mg/kg |
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