Risk on the Rennsteig: Highly poisonous selenid discovered!

Risk on the Rennsteig: Highly poisonous selenid discovered!

In a shocking discovery, a highly toxic substance was identified in the protective hut "Alte Tränke" at Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig. According to information from wikipedia , selenide have the oxidation status −2 for selenium and occur in many different forms. One of the best known inorganic variants is hydrogen selenide (H2SE), a colorless and odorless, but extremely toxic gas.

The special danger of selenids lies in its ability to connect to water under certain conditions and form toxic ions. The chemical properties of the selenides are diverse and they resemble the sulfides in many ways. You will not only be found in mineral ores, but can also be created in processes such as the electrolytic refining of copper, as de.wikipedia.org explained.

applications and occurrence

Although only a few thousand tons of selenium are produced annually, there are various applications for certain selenides. Zink selenid, for example, is used in infraredoptics, while cadmium selenide is considered a pigment, the use of which is now due to environmental concerns. The trend towards more sustainable alternatives could also be felt here.

Another example is the copper-indium selenide (Cuinse2), which has potential for use in photovoltaic devices, but is currently not yet widespread. Organic selenides that have two SE-C bonds and are used in organic chemistry are also particularly interesting

The recent events on the Rennsteig show how important it is to exercise the highest caution when storing and handling such dangerous substances. The discovery and correct disposal of the selenid is a stroke of luck that could have prevented the worse. At this point it should be stated: where there is a risk of danger, quick action must become the norm.