Vanadium toxicity

From Ganfyd

Vanadium toxicity is a potential consequence of increasing environmental and industrial pollution. Vanadium is found in certain crude oils and coal so it is possible to inhale significant quantities from combustion products^[1]. It is a genotoxin (although zinc is protective) causing DNA single-strand breaks^[2] and inhibits microtubule function. As such its salts are suspected carcinogens. It tends to produce reactive oxygen species, by the activation of mitogen activated protein kinases and this can lead to neurotocity, hepatotocity and nephrotoxicity. Vanadium pentoxide which may be inhaled by industrial workers causes occupational chronic bronchitis and asthma^[3] but can also affect platelet function as well as in animal models causing pulmonary fibrosis. Vanadium is concentrated in the bone and teeth. Such exposure might result in increased dental caries^[1].

It is also possible to obtain exposure from breakdown of metal implants such as hip replacements made of cotyloid titanium -aluminium- vanadium alloy. In this situation the metal toxicity was manifest as^[4]:

• Skin blackish discolouration over the implant
• Grey-green discolouration centre of tongue
• Sensory-motor polyneuropathy

Levels can be measured in blood and urine to determine likely toxicity.

References