My Science School

               It is unlikely that you have heard about an element called  selenium. However, it is essential for the human body.

              The element has the ability to block the effects of toxic metals such as arsenic, thallium, and the mercury found in fish. It is also a micronutrient in animals.

              It also plays an important role in the production of several vital enzymes in humans. For healthy joints, heart and eyes, humans need selenium. While it is essential in our body, too much selenium in the diet can be toxic as well.

             Selenium is not a metal, although it may look like one. It is solid in room temperature. Primarily, the element exists in two forms: as solid material in silver colour and powdery form in red colour. The element is a good conductor of electricity. Therefore, it is used in photoelectric cells, photocopiers, solar cells, and semiconductors.

            While Germany is the country that produces selenium the most each year, China is the biggest consumer of the element for industrial purposes. The atomic number of selenium is 34, and the atomic symbol is Se.

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