Grayish-white, lustrous, brittle, crystalline solid; dark-gray to brown, amorphous powder with metallic characteristics. Used as a coloring agent in chinaware, porcelains, enamels, glass; producing black finish on silverware; semiconductor devices and research; manufacturing special alloys of marked electrical resistance. Improves mechanical properties of lead; powerful carbide stabilizer in cast iron, tellurium vapor in "daylight" lamps, vulcanization of rubber. Blasting caps. Semiconductor research. (EPA, 1998)

• Pyrophoric

A finely divided suspension of elemental tellurium in air will explode. Insoluble in water.

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 acid; reacts with concentrated sulfuric acid forming a red solution. Dissolves in potassium hydroxide in the presence of air with formation of deep red solution; combines with halogens. Avoid antimony and chlorine trifluoride; chlorine 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)

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)

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 acid; reacts with concentrated sulfuric acid forming a red solution. Dissolves in potassium hydroxide in the presence of air with formation of deep red solution; combines with halogens. Avoid antimony and chlorine trifluoride; chlorine 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].

• Metals, Less Reactive

No information available.

No information available.

Straight water streams will scatter molten tellurium oxide. Wear goggles, rubber gloves, and proper respirator with filter.

Use water spray. Tellurium will burn only slowly in air. (EPA, 1998)

Caution : When heated to decomposition, toxic fumes of tellurium oxide will be emitted. Avoid sources of extreme heat.

Ventilate area of spill or leak; collect spilled material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers for reclamation or for disposal in a secured sanitary landfill. Liquids containing tellurium should be absorbed in vermiculite, dry sand, earth or a similar material. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Tellurium:

Skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for personal protective equipment for the body.

Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection.

Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).

Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2023)

No information available.

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).

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to tellurium may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to tellurium.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to tellurium.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Vomiting may be induced with syrup of Ipecac. If elapsed time since ingestion of tellurium is unknown or suspected to be greater than 30 minutes, do not induce vomiting and proceed to Step
4. Ipecac should not be administered to children under 6 months of age.Warning: Syrup of Ipecac should be administered only if victims are alert, have an active gag-reflex, and show no signs of impending seizure or coma. If ANY uncertainty exists, proceed to Step
4.The following dosages of Ipecac are recommended: children up to 1 year old, 10 mL (1/3 oz); children 1 to 12 years old, 15 mL (1/2 oz); adults, 30 mL (1 oz). Ambulate (walk) the victims and give large quantities of water. If vomiting has not occurred after 15 minutes, Ipecac may be readministered. Continue to ambulate and give water to the victims. If vomiting has not occurred within 15 minutes after second administration of Ipecac, administer activated charcoal.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• AURUM PARADOXUM
• METALLUM PROBLEMATUM
• TELLURIUM
• TELLURIUM ELEMENT