ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a detailed discussion on the occurrence and production, uses, chemical and physical properties, exposure and exposure limits, toxicokinetics, and effects of tellurium in humans. Tellurium occurs naturally in the free state but is usually associated with ores such as sylvanite, black tellurium, hessite and tetradymite as tellurides. Tellurium is used to improve metal alloys, as an additive in rubber, as a catalyst in the chemical industry, in electronic components, and in "daylight" lamps. Fatty food and some manufactured foods are highest in tellurium. The concentration of tellurium is greater in the plasma than in the red blood cells and is about 0.5 to 7" the concentration in the urine. Tellurium excretion is greater by the urine than the feces when given intravenously, but the reverse occurs when tellurium is given orally. The effects of tellurium in humans include information on acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, biochemistry, specific organs and systems, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity.
