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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2009 

This Public Health Statement is the summary chapter from the Toxicological Profile for Vanadium. It is 

one in a series of Public Health Statements about hazardous substances and their health effects. A shorter 

version, the ToxFAQsTM, is also available. This information is important 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. For more information, 

call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. 

This public health statement tells you about vanadium and the effects of exposure to it. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the 

nation. These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for long-term 

federal clean-up activities. Vanadium has been found in at least 319 of the 1,699 current or former NPL 

sites. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known, the possibility 

exists that the number of sites at which vanadium is found may increase in the future as more sites are 

evaluated. This information is important because these sites may be sources of exposure and exposure to 

this substance may be harmful. 

When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, 

such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Such a release does not always lead to exposure. You 

can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, 

eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. 

If you are exposed to vanadium, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. These factors 

include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. You must 

also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and 

state of health. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2009 

1.1 WHAT IS VANADIUM?
 

Description Vanadium is a naturally occurring element. It is 

widely distributed in the earth’s crust at an 

average concentration of approximately 

100 mg/kg. Vanadium is found in about 

65 different minerals. 

Depending on its form, vanadium can be a 

gray-white metal or light gray or white lustrous 

powder. Pure vanadium is a bright white, soft, 

and ductile metal. 

Uses 

• Vanadium metal 

• Vanadium pentoxide 

• Vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate 

Vanadium is used in producing rust-resistant, 

spring, and high-speed tool steels. It is an 

important carbide stabilizer in making steels. 

Vanadium pentoxide is used in ceramics and 

as a catalyst as well as in the production of 

superconductive magnets. 

Vanadyl sulfate and sodium metavanadate 

have been used in dietary supplements. 

1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO VANADIUM WHEN IT ENTERS THE ENVIRONMENT?
 

Sources Vanadium occurs naturally in soil, water, and 

air. Natural sources of atmospheric vanadium 

include continental dust, marine aerosol, and 

volcanic emissions. 

Releases of vanadium to the environment are 

mainly associated with industrial sources, 

especially oil refineries and power plants using 

vanadium rich fuel oil and coal. Global humanmade atmospheric releases of vanadium has 

been estimated to be greater than vanadium 

releases due to natural sources. Natural 

releases to water and soil are far greater overall 

than human-made releases to the atmosphere. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2009 

Break down Vanadium cannot be destroyed in the 

environment. It can only change its form or 

become attached or separated from airborne 

particulate, soil, particulate in water, and 

sediment. 

Vanadium particles in the air settle to the 

ground or are washed out of the air by rain. 

Smaller particles, such as those emitted from 

oil-fueled power plants, may stay in the air for 

longer times and are more likely to be 

transported farther away from the site of 

release. 

• Air 

• Water and soil The transport and partitioning of vanadium in 

water and soil is influenced by many factors 

including acidity of the water or soil and the 

presence of particulates. Vanadium can either 

be dissolved in water as dissolved ions or may 

become adsorbed to particulate matter. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2009 

1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO VANADIUM?
 

Food–primary source of exposure Most foods have naturally occurring low 

concentrations of vanadium. Seafood generally 

contains higher concentrations of vanadium than 

meat from land animals. 

Daily intakes of vanadium from food ranging from 

0.01 to 0.02 mg have been reported. Average 

vanadium concentrations in tap water are 

approximately 0.001 mg/L. Assuming that you 

drink approximately 2 L of water a day, a daily 

intake of approximately 0.002 mg of vanadium 

from tap water can be estimated for adults. 

Vanadium also may be found in various 

commercial nutritional supplements and 

multivitamins in amounts ranging from 0.0004 to 

12.5 mg, depending on the serving size 

recommended by the manufacturer. 

Consumption of some vanadium-containing 

supplements may result in intakes of vanadium 

that would exceed intakes from food and water. 

Populations in areas with high levels of residual 

fuel oil consumption may also be exposed to 

above-background levels of vanadium, both from 

increased particulate deposition upon food crops 

and soil in the vicinity of power plants. 

Air Most people take in very little vanadium from 

breathing. The general population may also be 

exposed to airborne vanadium through 

inhalation, particularly in areas where use of 

residual fuel oils for energy production is high. 

Individuals exposed to cigarette smoke may also 

be exposed to higher than background levels of 

vanadium. Approximately 0.0004 mg of 

vanadium is given off by in the smoke of one 

cigarette. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2009 

Water and soil Vanadium concentrations in surface water can 

range from approximately 0.04 to 220 μg/L 

depending on geographical location. 

1.4 HOW CAN VANADIUM ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY?
 

Enter your body 

• Inhalation 

• Ingestion 

• Dermal contact 

Some of the vanadium you breathe will enter 

your body through your lungs; however, we do 

not know how much will enter. 

A small amount of vanadium in food and water 

(3–20%) will enter your body through the 

digestive tract. The vanadium compounds you 

are exposed to will determine how much is 

absorbed. 

We do not know how much vanadium will enter 

your body through your skin. It is likely that 

very little will pass through the skin. 

1.5 HOW CAN VANADIUM AFFECT MY HEALTH? 

This section looks at studies concerning potential health effects in animal and human studies. 

Workers 

• Inhalation 

Breathing air with vanadium pentoxide can 

result in coughing which can last a number of 

days after exposure. 

Laboratory animals 

• Inhalation 

Damage to the lungs, throat, and nose have 

been observed in rats and mice exposed to 

vanadium pentoxide. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2009 

Humans Nausea, mild diarrhea, and stomach cramps 

have been reported in people taking sodium 

metavanadate or vanadyl sulfate for the 

experimental treatment of diabetes. 

• Oral 

Stomach cramps were also reported in a study 

of people taking about 13 mg vanadium/day. 

Laboratory animals A number of effects have been found in rats 

and mice ingesting several vanadium 

compounds. The effects include: 

• Oral 

• Decreases in number of red blood cells 

• Increased blood pressure 

• Mild neurological effects 

Cancer Lung cancer has been found in mice exposed 

to vanadium pentoxide. 

The International Agency for Research on 

Cancer (IARC) has determined that vanadium 

is possibly carcinogenic to humans. 

1.6 HOW CAN VANADIUM AFFECT CHILDREN? 

This section discusses potential health effects in humans from exposures during the period from 

conception to maturity at 18 years of age. 

Effects in children The health effects seen in children from 

exposure to toxic levels of vanadium are 

expected to be similar to the effects seen in 

adults. We do not know if children will be more 

sensitive to vanadium toxicity than adults. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2009 

Birth defects We do not know whether vanadium can cause 

birth defects in people. 

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. 

1.7 HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO VANADIUM?
 

Food Vanadium is a naturally occurring element that 

is widely distributed in the environment. It is 

found in many foods, typically in small amounts. 

You cannot avoid exposure to vanadium. 

Exposure to the levels of vanadium that are 

naturally present in food and water are not 

considered to be harmful. 

Consumer products Consumption of some vanadium-containing 

supplements may result in intakes of vanadium 

that would exceed intakes from food and water. 

You should check with your physician before 

taking supplements containing vanadium to 

determine if such supplements are appropriate 

for you. 

As a precaution, such products should have 

child-proof caps or should be kept out of reach 

of children so that children will not accidentally 

ingest them. 

Air Individuals exposed to cigarette smoke may 

also be exposed to higher-than-background 

levels of vanadium. Avoiding exposure to 

cigarette smoke may reduce exposure of you 

and your family to vanadium. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine	 September 2009 

1.8 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO 

VANADIUM? 

Detecting exposure All people have small amounts of vanadium in 

their bodies. It can be measured in many 

tissues and fluids including blood, urine, and 

hair. 

Measuring exposure Measurements of vanadium concentrations in 

blood and urine can tell you whether you have 

been exposed to larger-than-normal amounts of 

vanadium. Blood and urinary vanadium levels 

are considered the most reliable indicators of 

occupational exposure to vanadium. 

Measuring the concentration of vanadium in 

breathing air, drinking water, and food can help 

in determining how much vananium you are 

exposed to. 

Measuring vanadium levels in hair is not a good 

indicator of occupational or environmental 

exposure to vanadium. 

1.9 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO 

PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The federal government develops regulations and recommendations to protect public health. Regulations 

can be enforced by law. The EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are some federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic 

substances. Recommendations provide valuable guidelines to protect public health, but cannot be 

enforced by law. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are two federal organizations that develop 

recommendations for toxic substances. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2009 

Regulations and recommendations can be expressed as “not-to-exceed” levels. These are levels of a toxic 

substance in air, water, soil, or food that do not exceed a critical value. This critical value is usually based 

on levels that affect animals; they are then adjusted to levels that will help protect humans. Sometimes 

these not-to-exceed levels differ among federal organizations because they used different exposure times 

(an 8-hour workday or a 24-hour day), different animal studies, or other factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also updated periodically as more information becomes available. 

For the most current information, check with the federal agency or organization that provides it. 

Some regulations and recommendations for vanadium include the following: 

Workplace air OSHA set a legal limit of 0.5 mg/m3 for 

vanadium pentoxide respirable dust averaged 

over an 8-hour work day. A limit of 0.1 mg/m3 

for vanadium pentoxide fume has also been 

established. 

1.10 WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department, or contact ATSDR at the address and phone number below. 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics 

specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses that result from exposure to hazardous 

substances. 

Toxicological profiles are also available on-line at www.atsdr.cdc.gov and on CD-ROM. You may 

request a copy of the ATSDR ToxProfilesTM CD-ROM by calling the toll-free information and technical 

assistance number at 1-800-CDCINFO (1-800-232-4636), by e-mail at cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or by writing 

to: 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Vanadium 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2009 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine
 

1600 Clifton Road NE
 

Mailstop F-62
 

Atlanta, GA 30333
 

Fax: 1-770-488-4178
 

Organizations for-profit may request copies of final Toxicological Profiles from the following: 

National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
 

5285 Port Royal Road
 

Springfield, VA 22161
 

Phone: 1-800-553-6847 or 1-703-605-6000
 

Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/
 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov