Selenium Toxicity in Animals with Emphasis on Man

Abstract

This review was undertaken to establish what might be the maximum safe dose of selenium that could be administered to man in studies on the use of the element in cancer prevention. The early history of selenium poisoning is briefly summarized. The literature on clinical signs and toxicity data for acute and for chronic selenosis in farm and experimental animals is discussed. Several cases of acute selenosis in man are reviewed, and a number of reports on chronic selenosis in man are reviewed and evaluated. Based on these, the maximum safe single oral dose of selenite, selenate, DL-selenocysteine, or DL-selenomethionine is suggested as 0.05 mg Se/kg body weight (milligrams of selenium per kilogram of body weight). The maximum safe multiple oral dose is suggested as 5 μg Se/kg body weight.