Vanadium Toxfaqs™

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CS265956-A

Vanadium - ToxFAQs™ 

   CAS # 7440-62-2

This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about vanadium. For more information, call the 

CDC Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and 

their health effects. It is important you understand this information because this substance may harm you. The effects of 

exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, 

and whether other chemicals are present.

HIGHLIGHTS: Everyone is exposed to low levels of vanadium in air, water, and food; 

however, most people are exposed mainly from food. Breathing high levels of vanadium 

pentoxide may cause lung damage. Ingesting vanadium can cause nausea and vomiting. 

In animals, ingesting vanadium can cause decreased red blood cells and increased blood 

pressure. Vanadium has been found in at least 319 of 1,699 National Priorities List (NPL) 

sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is vanadium? 

Vanadium is an element that occurs in nature as a white-

to-gray metal compounds, and is often found as crystals. 

Pure vanadium has no smell. It usually combines with 

other elements such as oxygen, sodium, sulfur, or  

chloride. Vanadium and vanadium compounds can be 

found in the earth’s crust and in rocks, some iron ores,  

and crude petroleum deposits. 

Vanadium is used in producing rust-resistant, spring,  

and high-speed tool steels. 

Vanadium pentoxide is used in ceramics, as a catalyst,  

and in the production of superconductive magnets. 

Vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate have been 

used as dietary supplements. 

What happens to vanadium when it  

enters the environment? 

 • Vanadium mainly enters the environment 

from natural sources and from the burning  

of fuel oils.

 • It does not dissolve well in water. 

 • It combines with other elements and particles. 

 • Vanadium binds strongly to soil and sediments.

 • Low levels have been found in plants, but it is  

not likely to build up in the tissues of animals. 

How might I be exposed to vanadium? 

 • Eating foods containing vanadium, higher levels  

are found in seafoods. Vanadium is found in  

some nutritional supplements. 

 • Breathing air near an industry that burns fuel oil  

or coal; these industries release vanadium oxide  

into the air.

 • Working in industries that process vanadium  

or make products containing vanadium.

 • Breathing contaminated air or drinking  

contaminated water near waste sites or  

landfills containing vanadium.

 • Breathing cigarette smoke.

 • Vanadium is not readily absorbed by the body  

from the stomach, gut, or contact with the skin. 

How can vanadium affect my health? 

Exposure to high levels of vanadium pentoxide in air  

can result in lung damage.

Nausea, mild diarrhea, and stomach cramps have been 

reported in people some vanadium compounds. A 

number of effects have been found in animals ingesting 

vanadium compounds including decreases in the number 

of red blood cells, increased blood pressure, and mild 

neurological effects. The amounts of vanadium given in 

these animal studies that resulted in harmful effects are 

much higher than those likely to occur in the environment. 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences 

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October 2012

Vanadium   

CAS # 7440-62-2 

How likely is vanadium to cause cancer?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer 

(IARC) has classified vanadium pentoxide as possibly 

carcinogenic to humans based on evidence of lung  

cancer in exposed mice. 

The Department of Health and Human Services  

(DHHS) and EPA have not classified vanadium as  

to its human carcinogenicity.

How can vanadium affect children?

The health effects in children are expected to be  

similar to the effects seen in adults. 

Studies in animals exposed during pregnancy have  

shown that vanadium can cause decreases in growth  

and increases in the occurrence of birth defects.  

These effects are usually observed at levels which  

cause effects in the mother. Effects have also been 

observed at vanadium doses which did not cause  

effects in the mother. 

How can families reduce the risk of 

exposure to vanadium?

 • Vanadium is present in some supplements. Consult 

with your doctor before taking supplements 

containing vanadium to determine if they are 

appropriate for you. Supplements should be kept  

out of reach of children.

 • Vanadium is a component of tobacco smoke. Avoid 

smoking in enclosed spaces like inside the home or 

car in order to limit exposure to children and other 

family members.

Is there a medical test to determine 

whether I’ve been exposed to vanadium? 

Vanadium can be measured in blood and urine.  

These tests cannot determine if harmful health  

effects will occur from the exposure to vanadium.

Has the federal government made 

recommendations to protect  

human health?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

(OSHA) has set a legal limit of 0.5 milligrams per cubic 

meter (0.5 mg/m

3

) for vanadium pentoxide dust as a 

ceiling limit not to be exceeded during the workday.  

A ceiling limit of 0.1 mg/m

3

 for vanadium pentoxide  

fumes has also been established.

References

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 

2012. Toxicological Profile for Vanadium. Atlanta, GA:  

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,  

Public Health Service.

Where can I get more information?

For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology and  

Human Health Sciences, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-57, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027. 

Phone: [phone].  

ToxFAQs

TM 

 Internet address via WWW is 

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/index.asp

.  

ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, 

and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health 

or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

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Document Outline

• HIGHLIGHTS
• What is vanadium?  
• What happens to vanadium when it enters the environment? 
• How might I be exposed to vanadium?  
• How can vanadium affect my health?  
• How likely is vanadium to cause cancer? 
• How can vanadium affect children? 
• Is there a medical test to determine whether I’ve been exposed to vanadium?
• Has the federal government made recommendations to protect  human health?
• References