Sodium selenite

PROPERTIES

Sodium selenite is a white, crystalline solid with no odor. It is soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol and othe organic solvents. Stable under ordinary conditions. Incompatible with strong acids. Highly toxic. Experimental carcinogen.

APPLICATIONS

GLASS INDUSTRY

Sodium selenite is mainly used in the manufacture of colorless glass. The pink color imparted by these selenites removes the green color imparted by iron impurities what helps to neutralize green streaks.

FEED

The US Food and Drug Administration approved a selenium supplement to animal diets. The most common form is sodium selenite for pet foods.

PHARMA

Because selenium is an essential element, sodium selenite is an ingredient in some food supplements. Liquid and tablet supplements containing sodium selenite are used to elevate selenium in the body.

medical therapy:

It might fight some cancers and help them go into remission (prostate cancer, brain cancer).  However, it needs first to be thoroughly evaluated in vitro and in vivo in different types of cancer.

Other uses:

-        reagent in bacteriology,

-        testing germination of seed.