Is selenium toxic if you touch it?

[teiu88]

I just recently got selenium for my element collection but I'm afraid to take it out of the bag because I've heard about selenium toxicity. I know its deadly if you ingest it but is it OK to touch it?

[elementcollector1]

As far as I can tell, selenium isn't harmful unless ingested, but just in case you get some on your fingertips and then eat it, I suppose you should treat it as you would lead or antimony, washing hands after touching.

[insane_alien]

if you're really worried, just use some latex gloves, or a tissue.

 

but really, by touching it to transfer it to another container you aren't likely to absorb over 800micrograms which is the maximum safe daily dose. the elemental stuff has low bioavailability which makes it even safer.

[Chemistoftheelements]

I agree with elementcollector1 and insane_alien. The offficial line is that selenium is a very toxic element, and this is true. However, dire warnings about this element (as frequently encountered on the web and elsewhere) often fail to take into account the form and allotrope of the element. The element in the form of large chunks of grey i.e. “metallic” selenium which are free of fine particles of selenium, is not going to harm you so long as you don’t make a habit of hadling it, and wash your hands afterwards.