4. Properties:
Color:
Red in either powder of crystalline form
Gray crystalline metal-like form (metallic
selenium)
Selenium is used to remove color from
glass
It is also used to give a red color to glasses
and enamels
5. Isotopes:
Selenium isotopes are mainly used for the
production of medical and industrial
radioisotopes.
Se-77, Se-78 used to make Br-77
Se-80 used to make Br-80m
Se-74 used to make Se-75 which is used as
a source in gamma radiography.
6. Availability in foods:
Brazilian nuts
Fish
Meat and eggs
Brewer’s yeast
Wheat germ
Sunflower seeds
Shellfish
walnuts
7. Availability in nature:
Selenium is commonly found in
sedimentary rock.
Not often found in pure substances.
Most commonly found with sulfide
minerals or with silver, copper, lead, and
nickel minerals.
Cost:
Pure: $61.00 per 100g
Bulk: $5.30 per 100 g
8. Uses:
By itself:
Used as a catalyst
Used in solar cells and photocells
In brasses and stainless steels:
It improves the machinability of these
compounds.
9. Fun facts:
Itis not recommended to consume more
than 30 mcg per day, too much Selenium
causes Selenosis which can cause loss of
hair, skin, and nails.
High levels of selenium in males is
associated with male infertility.
