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1324264 
Technical Report 
Vanadium, Alloys And Compounds 
Symanski, HJ 
1983 
International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) 
NIOSH/00150281 
2 
2240-2241 
The use, production, and occupational health implications of vanadium (7440622) and its alloys and compounds are reviewed. The most important vanadium ores are found in Peru and South Africa. Most of the vanadium produced is used in ferrovanadium (12604589) for high speed steel and tool making. Addition of vanadium removes occluded oxygen and nitrogen from the steel, enhancing tensile strength and elasticity. Some vanadium compounds have industrial uses. Vanadium-pentoxide (14986471) has long been an important industrial catalyst. Ammonium-metavanadate (7803556) is also a frequently used catalyst and reagent. Vanadium oxides cause harmful effects in humans. Inhalation may cause severe toxic effects. Even brief exposure may cause symptoms of irritation, and severe exposure may result in pneumonia. No harmful effects on blood, the gastrointestinal system, or the nervous system have been recorded. Vanadium and its compounds are taken up in the body by inhalation and excreted in feces and urine. Complete recovery usually follows 1 time exposure after removal from exposure. It is important, therefore, to prevent the inhalation of airborne particulate vanadium compounds, particularly vanadium-pentoxide. This compound can be produced in an agglomerated or pelleted form that is dust free. In manufacturing processes that could generate dust, the process should be enclosed, and exhaust ventilation provided. During the cleaning of oil fired furnace flues, where vanadium may be a component of petroleum products, maintenance workers should wear personal protective equipment as needed. The author concludes that workers that will be exposed to vanadium should be given preemployment examinations to eliminate those with chronic respiratory disease. 
DCN-136785; Safety research; Steel foundries; Physical properties; Industrial chemicals; Hazardous materials; Toxic materials; Biological effects; Health protection; Safety measures; Protective measures; Metallic salts