 Discovery Information |
| Who:
Jons Berzelius
|
| When: 1817 |
| Where: Sweden |
|
| Name Origin |
| Greek: Selene (Moon) |
|
| Sources |
| Obtained from lead, silver, copper and nickel refining. |
|
| Uses |
| Used in photoelectric cells, TV cameras, as a semiconductor in solar batteries, light meters, copy machines, anti-dandruff shampoo and rectifiers. Also colours glass red. |
|
| Notes |
| Conducts electricity when struck by light. The element selenium is non-toxic, but many of its compounds are extremely toxic and behave in the same way as arsenic. |
| Selenium is found in humans, but in trace amounts. |
| Some clinical studies have shown that selenium may help cut the risk of certain cancers. |
