|  | Public Health Safety | Community

Vanadium Toxicity

Vanadium is a trace element that's found widely in nature. However, it's used a great deal in several heavy industries. As a result, the occurrence of industrial workers exposed to toxic levels of vanadium has been an increasing concern.

  1. What is Vanadium?

    • Vanadium is an insoluble metal exhibiting a grayish color. It was discovered by Nils Gabriel Stefstorm, a Swedish chemist. He's credited for recognizing vanadium compound as a metal in 1831.

    Vanadium in Tissues

    • Vanadium in particular tissues may be responsible for certain neurological disorders and cardiovascular diseases.

    Diagnoses

    • Vanadium's toxicity effects upon humans can be diagnosed based on a history of exposures and measurements of vanadium levels in the blood cells, urine and plasma.

    Symptoms

    • Vanadium can pose many health hazards.

      Workers exposed to high levels of vanadium exhibited the following symptoms: headaches, tremors of the hands, hypertension, green tongue, coughs, palpitation, wheezing, and ear, nose and throat irritation.

    Absorption of Vanadium

    • vanadium compounds are poorly absorbed by human's gastrointestinal tract.

      High concentrations of absorbed vanadium mainly occur in the liver, lung, and kidneys. However, the toxicity of vanadium increases depending on the where it enters the body and the solubility of the compound in a particular fluid. Vanadium compounds are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tracts of humans so this metal is not extremely toxic for humans if ingested.

Community - Related Articles