Vanadium

Agent Name
Vanadium
CAS Number
7440-62-2
Formula
V
Major Category
Metals
Category
Elements, Metallic
Description
Silver-white metal; [Hawley]
Sources/Uses
Vanadium compounds are found in the minerals patronite, roscoelite, carnotite and vanadinite; Used in steel alloys, x-ray machines, and catalysts; [Hawley] Used in alloys, catalysts, pigments (ceramics and glass), and in batteries; Combustion of oil and coal are the most important environmental sources; [Nordberg, p. 1349, 1363]
Comments
Less than 2% absorbed after ingestion; Primarily excreted by the kidneys; Essential mineral for some bacteria, but not known to be for humans; Reported use as a supplement by athletes and body builders; Rabbits and rats have liver injury after high-dose inhalation studies for 9-12 months; Kidney injury is observed in animals after intraperitoneal injections of vanadium; Animals dying from lethal doses have paralysis of hind limbs, respiratory depression, and convulsions; [Nordberg, p. 1347-63] See "Vanadium pentoxide."
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

MAK
0.005 mg/m3, inhalable fraction (Vanadium and inorganic compounds)
Explanatory Notes
mp = 1900 degrees C; [Hawley]
Half Life
12 days for rats to eliminate from the kidneys after drinking water containing VOSO4; [Nordberg, p. 911]

Adverse Effects

Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure: