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Danger to life on the Rennsteig: highly toxic selenide discovered!
A highly toxic selenide was discovered on the Rennsteig. The fire department disposed of it. No acute danger to residents.
Danger to life on the Rennsteig: highly toxic selenide discovered!
In a shocking discovery, the Sunday before last, a highly toxic substance was identified in the “Alte Tränke” refuge near Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig. According to information from In southern Thuringia This dangerous substance is selenide, which poses numerous health risks.
The alarming finds were quickly removed by the Suhl fire department, which was equipped with special chemical protection suits. Fortunately, the barrels discovered were tightly sealed, so there was no immediate danger to residents or the environment. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, laboratory tests were carried out that confirmed the identification of the selenide.
What are Selenides?
Selenides are chemical compounds of the element selenium. They can occur both as inorganic compounds and in organic forms. Loud Wikipedia, selenides have the oxidation state −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 particular danger of selenides lies in their ability to combine with water under certain conditions and form toxic ions. The chemical properties of selenides are diverse and they are similar to sulfides in many ways. They are not only found in mineral ores, but can also be formed during processes such as the electrolytic refining of copper de.wikipedia.org explained.
Applications and Occurrences
Although only a few thousand tons of selenium are produced annually, there are various uses for certain selenides. Zinc selenide, for example, is used in infrared optics, while cadmium selenide is a pigment whose use is now declining due to environmental concerns. The trend towards more sustainable alternatives could also be noticeable here.
Another example is copper indium selenide (CuInSe2), which has potential for use in photovoltaic devices but is not currently widely used. Organic selenides, which have two Se-C bonds and are used in organic chemistry, are also particularly interesting.
The recent events at Rennsteig show how important it is to exercise extreme caution when storing and handling such dangerous substances. The discovery and correct disposal of the selenide is a stroke of luck that could have prevented something worse. It should be noted at this point: Where danger threatens, quick action must become the norm.