Osmium Tetroxide: the false boogeyman man
I have heard of how dangerous Osmium Tetroxide is, and how even the solid metal version of just osmium is dangerous. I can't find a single name of someone who has died from exposure.
The best known case study with humans was a lab without ventilation using Osmium tetroxide. The workers were exposed for years. Going home each day with halo vision, headaches, thick mucus and an irritated throat. All of which subsided by the next morning.
They eventually put in fume hoods and the symptoms all disappeared. No know long term affects were observed.
The rat and mouse LD50 was done with a sample of Osmium tetroxide in a closed box. They observed until death. The testers admitted that the OsO4 was being converted on the skin, the walls, mucus membranes, and fur making for highly uncontrolled. If you put me in a box with a block of Co2 I will also die. It was so poorly done.
Maybe I'm missing something. Anyone know of anyone who actually had long term damage or death?