Overview: Growing Health, Environmental Concerns

Selenium, a natural mineral, is an essential element in human nutrition, but can be acutely toxic to humans and wildlife in higher concentrations resulting from its use in industrial processes such as mining, electronics, copper, aluminum and other metals, coal-burning power plants and metal recycling. Waste containing selenium is classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous, and substantial fines have been imposed for its improper disposal. In recent years, an increasing source of exposure has been the presence of selenium in manganese metal imports from China, where selenium is added to speed processing and reduce costs.

This website provides an overview of the growing health and environmental concerns resulting from increasing exposure to selenium from industrial processes.