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Diss Factsheets

Administrative data

Description of key information

Vanadium metal is not acutely toxic via the oral, dermal, or inhalation route.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via oral route

Link to relevant study records
Reference
Endpoint:
acute toxicity: oral
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
2010-08-05 to 2010-08-31
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: GLP guideline study reliable without restrictions
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 423 (Acute Oral toxicity - Acute Toxic Class Method)
Version / remarks:
, adopted 2001-12-17
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Remarks:
signed 2009-11-12
Test type:
acute toxic class method
Limit test:
yes
Species:
rat
Strain:
Crj: CD(SD)
Sex:
female
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Laboratories, Research Models and Services Germany GmbH, Sandhofer Weg 7, 97633 Sulzfeld, Germany
- Age at study initiation: Approx. 8 weeks
- Weight at study initiation: 163 - 191 g
- Fasting period before study: Feeding was discontinued approx. 16 hours before administration.
- Housing: Granulated textured wood (Granulat A2, J. Brandenburg, 49424 Goldenstedt, Germany) was used as bedding material for the cages. During the 14-day observation period the animals were kept in groups of 3 animals in MAKROLON cages (type III plus).
- Diet: Commercial diet, ssniff® R/M-H V1534 (ssniff Spezialdiäten GmbH, 59494 Soest, Germany)
- Water (ad libitum): Drinking water
- Acclimation period: At least 5 adaptation days

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature: 22°C ± 3°C (maximum range)
- Relative humidity: 55% ± 15% (maximum range)
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12/12
No further information on the test animals was stated.
Route of administration:
oral: gavage
Vehicle:
other: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose
Details on oral exposure:
MAXIMUM DOSE VOLUME APPLIED: The administration volume was 10 mL/kg b.w.

DOSAGE PREPARATION: Vanadium (metal powder) was suspended to the appropriate concentration in 0.8% aqueous hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Methocel; batch no. 09 D14-N28, Fagron GmbH & Co., 22885 Barsbüttel, Germany).
No further information on the oral exposure was stated.
Doses:
2000 mg/kg b.w.
No. of animals per sex per dose:
1 dose level group of 6 female animals
Control animals:
no
Details on study design:
- Duration of observation period following administration: 14 days
- Frequency of observations and weighing: Observations were performed before and immediately, 5, 15, 30 and 60 min, as well as 3, 6 and 24 hours after administration.
During the follow-up period of two weeks, changes of skin and fur, eyes and mucous membranes, respiratory and the circulatory, autonomic and central nervous system and somatomotor activity as well as behaviour pattern were observed at least once a day until all symptoms subsided, thereafter each working day. Attention was also paid to possible tremors, convulsions, salivation, diarrhoea, lethargy, sleep and coma.
Observations on mortality were made at least once daily to minimize loss of animals during the study. Individual body weights were recorded before administration of the test item and thereafter in weekly intervals up to the end of the study.
- Necropsy of survivors performed: Yes
All animals were sacrificed, dissected and inspected macroscopically. All gross pathological changes were recorded.
- Other examinations performed: Changes in weight were calculated and recorded.
No further information on the test material was stated.
Statistics:
Not applicable
Sex:
female
Dose descriptor:
LD50
Effect level:
> 2 000 mg/kg bw
Based on:
test mat.
Mortality:
No mortality occurred.
Clinical signs:
other: A single oral administration of 2000 mg vanadium (metal powder)/kg b.w. to female rats did not reveal any signs of toxicity. No clinical signs were observed.
Gross pathology:
No pathological changes were observed at necropsy.
Interpretation of results:
not classified
Remarks:
Migrated information Criteria used for interpretation of results: EU
Conclusions:
LD50 (rats, females) >2000 mg/kg b.w.
According to the EC-Commission Directive 67/548/EEC and its subsequent amendments on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provision relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances and the results obtained under the present test conditions vanadium (metal powder) is non-toxic if swallowed, hence, no labelling is required.
Also, according to the EC Regulation 1272/2008 and subsequent regulations, the test material is not classified for acute oral toxicity.

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed
Dose descriptor:
discriminating dose
Value:
2 000 mg/kg bw
Quality of whole database:
A GLP-study is reliable without restrictions.

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Link to relevant study records

Referenceopen allclose all

Endpoint:
acute toxicity: inhalation
Type of information:
migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Study period:
2013-01-03 to 2013-02-13
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: GLP guideline study
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 436 (Acute Inhalation Toxicity: Acute Toxic Class Method)
Version / remarks:
adoped September 7, 2009
Deviations:
no
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
other: OECD Series on Testing and Assessment No. 125, Document No. ENV/JM/MONO (2010) 16, June 01, 2010
Deviations:
no
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Remarks:
signed 2009-11-12
Test type:
acute toxic class method
Limit test:
yes
Species:
rat
Strain:
other: Crl: CD(SD)
Sex:
male/female
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Laboratories, Research Models and Services, Germany GmbH, Sandhofer Weg 7, 97633 Sulzfeld, Germany
- Age at study initiation: males: 8 weeks; females: 9 weeks
- Weight at study initiation: males: 259 - 267 g; females: 220 - 237 g
- Fasting period before study: feeding was discontinued approx. 16 hours before exposure; only tap water was then available ad libitum.
- Housing: granulated textured wood (Granulat A2, J. Brandenburg, 49424 Goldenstedt, Germany) was used as bedding material for the cages. During the 14-day observation period, the animals are kept by sex in groups of 3 animals in MAKROLON cages (type III plus).
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): commercial diet, ssniff® R/M-H V1534 (ssniff Spezialdiäten GmbH, 59494 Soest, Germany)
- Water (ad libitum): drinking water
- Acclimation period: at least 5 adaptation days

The animals were randomised before use. They were acclimatised to the test apparatus for approx. 1 hour on 2 days prior to testing. The restraining tubes did not impose undue physical, thermal or immobilization stress on the animals.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature: 22°C ± 3°C (maximum range)
- Relative humidity: 55% ± 15% (maximum range)
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12/12
Route of administration:
inhalation: dust
Type of inhalation exposure:
nose only
Vehicle:
clean air
Details on inhalation exposure:
GENERATION OF TEST ATMOSPHERE / CHAMBER DESCRIPTION
- Exposure apparatus: the study was carried out using a dynamic inhalation apparatus (RHEMA-LABORTECHNIK, 65719 Hofheim/Taunus, Germany) (air changes/h (≥ 12 times)) with a nose-only exposure of the animals according to KIMMERLE & TEPPER. The apparatus consists of a cylindrical exposure chamber (volume 40 L) which holds 10 animals in pyrex tubes at the edge of the chamber in a radial position.

- System of generating particulates/aerosols: the dust of the test material was generated with a rotating brush dust generator (RBG 1000, PALAS GmbH Partikel und Lasermesstechnik,76229 Karlsruhe, Germany).
The generator was fed with compressed air (5.0 bar) from a compressor (ALUP Kompressorenfabrik, 73257 Köngen, Germany) (air was taken from the surrounding atmosphere of the laboratory room and filtered using at in-line disposable gas-filter).
At the bottom of the exposure chamber, the air was sucked off at a lower flow rate than it was created by the dust generator in order to produce a homogenous distribution and a positive pressure in the exposure chamber (inflow 900 L/h, outflow 800 L/h).
A manometer and an air-flow meter (ROTA Yokogawa GmbH & Co. KG, 79664 Wehr/Baden, Germany) were used to control the constant supply of compressed air and the exhaust, respectively. Flow rates were checked hourly and the corrected if necessary.
The exhaust air was drawn through gas wash-bottles.

- Method of particle size determination: an analysis of the particle size distribution was carried out twice during the exposure period using a cascade impactor according to MAY (MAY, K. R. Aerosol impaction jets, J. Aerosol Sci. 6, 403 (1975), RESEARCH ENGINEERS Ltd., London N1 5RD, UK.).
The dust from the exposure chamber was drawn through the cascade impactor for 5 minutes at a constant flow rate of 5 L/min. The slides were removed from the impactor and weighed on an analytical balance (SARTORIUS, type 1601 004, precision 0.1 mg). Deltas of slides’ weight were determined.
The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) was estimated by means of non-linear regression analysis. The 32 μm particle size range and the filter (particle size range < 0.5 μm) were not included in the determination of the MMAD in order not to give undue weight to these values.
The Geometric Standard Deviation (GSD) of the MMAD was calculated from the quotient of the 84.1 % - and the 50 %- mass fractions, both obtained from the above mentioned non-linear regression analysis.
In addition, a sample of approx. 10 g test material was taken from the exposure chamber to determine the median physical particle size with a CILAS 715 by My-Tec, 91325 Adelsdorf, Germany. This determination was non-GLP.

- Temperature, humidity, pressure in air chamber, oxygen content and carbon dioxide concentration: the oxygen content in the inhalation chamber was 21%. It was determined at the beginning and at the end of the exposure with a DRÄGER Oxygen-analysis test set (DRÄGER Tube Oxygen 67 28 081). Carbon dioxide concentration did not exceed 1%.
Temperature (21.3 °C ± 0.1 °C (main study) or 20.9 °C ± 0.1 °C (satellite group)) and humidity (70.3 % ± 0.1 % (main study) or 63.3 % ± 0.1 % (satellite group)) were measured once every hour with a climate control monitor (testo 175-HZ data logger).

The whole exposure system was mounted in an inhalation facility to protect the laboratory staff from possible hazards.

Exposition started by locating the animals into the exposure chamber after equilibration of the chamber concentration for at least 15 minutes (t95 approximately 8 minutes).

Before initiating the study with the animals, a pre-test was carried out with the exposure system in order to verify that under the experimental settings chosen, the limit concentration of 5 mg/L air could be achieved by gravimetric analysis.

The tests with the main study animals and the recovery animals were conducted in the same inhalation chamber but on different days. Between the exposure times the chamber was cleaned carefully.

TEST ATMOSPHERE
- Brief description of analytical method used: the actual dust concentration in the inhalation chamber was measured gravimetrically with an air sample filter (Minisart SM 17598 0.45 μm) and pump (Vacuubrand, MZ 2C (Membrane Pump,Vacuubrand GmbH + Co. KG, 97877 Wertheim/Main, Germany)) controlled by a rotameter. Dust samples were taken once every hour during the exposure. For that purpose, a probe was placed close to the animals' noses and air was drawn through the air sample filter at a constant flow of air of 5 L/min for 1 minute. The filters were weighed before and after sampling (accuracy 0.1 mg).
Individual chamber concentration samples did not deviate from the mean chamber concentration by more than 1%.
- Samples taken from breathing zone: yes

TEST ATMOSPHERE
- MMAD (Mass median aerodynamic diameter) / GSD (Geometric st. dev.):
Main study: 2.526 µm (GSD: 3.09)
Satellite group: 2.476 µm (GSD: 3.16)
No smaller GSDs could be obtained with the test item supplied.
Analytical verification of test atmosphere concentrations:
yes
Remarks:
see above ("Details on inhalation exposure")
Duration of exposure:
4 h
Concentrations:
Main study (limit test):
- actual concentration: 5.05 ± 0.03 mg/L air
- nominal concentration: 7.78 mg/L air
Satellite group:
- actual concentration: 5.06 ± 0.03 mg/L air
- nominal concentration: 7.78 mg/L air
No. of animals per sex per dose:
Main study (limit test):
3 males / 3 females
Satellite group:
3 males / 3 females
Control animals:
no
Details on study design:
- Duration of observation period following administration: 24 hours (satellite group) and 14 days (main study)

- Frequency of observations and weighing: during the exposure period the animals were observed frequently. Following exposure, observations were made at least twice on the day of exposure and at least once each day and recorded systematically. A careful clinical examination was made at least once each day thereafter for a period of 14 days. Observations on mortality were made at least once daily (in the morning starting on test day 2) to minimize loss of animals to the study, e.g. necropsy or refrigeration of those animals found dead and isolation or sacrifice of weak or moribund animals.
Cageside observations included, but were not limited to: changes in the skin and fur, eyes, mucous membranes, respiratory, circulatory, autonomic and central nervous system, as well as somatomotor activity and behaviour pattern.
Particular attention was directed to observation of tremor, convulsions, salivation, diarrhoea, lethargy, sleep and coma. The animals were also observed for possible indications of respiratory irritation such as dyspnoea, rhinitis etc.
Individual weights of animals were determined once during the acclimatisation period, before and after the exposure on test day 1, on test days 3, 8 and 15. Changes in weight were calculated and recorded when survival exceeded one day. At the end of the test, all animals were weighed and sacrificed.

- Necropsy of survivors performed: yes
Necropsy of all main study and satellite animals (3 + 3 males and 3 + 3 females) was carried out and all gross pathological changes were recorded:
- Satellite animals: necropsy at 24 hours after cessation of exposure, as this is likely to be the time at which any signs of respiratory irritation would have manifested;
- Main study animals: necropsy at the end of the 14-day observation period, also to assess whether any respiratory tract irritation persists or abates.

- Histopathology:
All main study and satellite animals were subjected to the same level of histopathological examination upon necropsy at the end of the respective observation period. During histopathology, attention was paid to alterations that might be indicative of respiratory irritation, such as hyperaemia, oedema, minimal inflammation, thickened mucous layer.
The following organs of all animals were fixed in 10 % (nose, i.e. head without brain, eyes and lower jaw) or 7 % (other organs) buffered formalin for histopathological examination:
- Nasal cavity, nasopharynx and paranasal sinus:
The tip and level 1 of the nose were taken from a cut just anterior to the incisor teeth. With tip removed, level 2 was taken approximately 2 mm posterior to free tip of the incisor teeth. Level 3 was cut through the incisive papilla. Level 4 was cut through the middle of the second palatal ridge, which is located just anterior to the molar teeth. Level 5 was cut through the middle of the molar teeth. All sections were embedded face down to yield a section from the anterior section, except the nose tip was embedded posterior surface down.
- Larynx
- Trachea
- Lungs (five levels)
Paraffin sections were prepared of all above mentioned organs and stained with haematoxylin-eosin.
Statistics:
Since no animal died prematurely, the calculation of an LC50 was not required.
Sex:
male/female
Dose descriptor:
LC50
Effect level:
> 5.05 mg/L air (analytical)
Based on:
test mat.
Exp. duration:
4 h
Mortality:
No animal died prematurely.
Clinical signs:
other: Under the present test conditions, a 4-hour inhalation exposure to Vanadium carbide at a concentration of 5.05 mg/L air revealed slight ataxia on test day 1 immediately after the end of exposure until 30 minutes post exposure, slight dyspnoea (reduced fre
Body weight:
No influence on body weight gain was observed.
Gross pathology:
Macroscopic changes in the nasal cavity and lungs: marbled lungs were observed in all animals of the main study (14-day sacrifice) and in all satellite animals (24-hour sacrifice). Oedematous lungs were observed in 2 of 3 male or female animals of the main study, each, and 1 of 3 male or female satellite animals, each. Lungs reduced in size were observed in 1 male and 1 female main study animals and 1 female satellite animal. A greyish discoloured lung was observed in 1 male satellite animal.
Other findings:
- HISTOPATHOLOGY:

Microscopic changes in the nasal cavity and lungs:
1. Test item-related histopathological changes:
The histomorphological examination of the trachea, larynx, lungs and the nose of male and female rats after inhalation of Vanadium carbide did not reveal any morphological changes, considered to be related to the inhalation of the test item, in the main study animals (14-day sacrifice) and in the satellite animals (24-hour sacrifice).

2. Non-test item-related histopathological changes:
Male and female animals of the main study (14-day sacrifice) and the satellite group (24-hour sacrifice):
- Observations made for the nose (five levels): the nasal cavity of level 1 to 5 revealed a normal squamous epithelium and a normal respiratory epithelium. The normal respiratory epithelium partially contained cilia consisted of three major cell types: the basal cells above the basement membrane, the ciliated epithelial and the secretory goblet cells. A minimal to mild subepithelial lympho-histiocytic infiltrations or lymphocytic follicles was noted in the respiratory epithelium for nose level 2 to 5 of a few rats.

A normal olfactory epithelium with 5 to 7 nuclear layers, normal basal cells, olfactory sensory cells and sustentacular cells was observed for levels 2 to 5 of all animals.
- Observations made for the lungs (five levels): all 5 lung localizations revealed a normal lung structure. A minimal to mild congestion and a pneumonic foci in one rat are coincidental findings and thus not test item-related.
The trachea of some male and female animals revealed a focal minimal to mild subepithelial lympho-histiocytic inflammatory reactions with normal epithelial cells. The epithelium of the larynx was normal. Some animals revealed a focal minimal lympho-histiocytic infiltration in the subepithelial tissue of the trachea and the larynx.
Interpretation of results:
not classified
Remarks:
Migrated information Criteria used for interpretation of results: EU
Conclusions:
LC50 (rats, 4 hours) > 5.05 mg/L air (actual concentration)
Based on the results of the histopathological and macroscopic investigations, vanadium carbide does not require classification for respiratory irritation.
According to the EC-Commission directive 67/548/EC and its subsequent amendments, the test substance is not classified as acute toxic via the inhalation route or as respiratory irritant.
Also, according to the EC Regulation 1272/2008 and subsequent regulations, the test item is not classified as acute toxic via the inhalation route or as specific target organ toxicity - single exposure.
Endpoint:
acute toxicity: inhalation
Type of information:
migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
Adequacy of study:
weight of evidence
Study period:
2010
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Qualifier:
no guideline required
Principles of method if other than guideline:
A pre-test was performed to decide if it is possible to generate a stable testing atmosphere.
GLP compliance:
no
Test type:
other: pre-test
Remarks on result:
not measured/tested

Results of the pre-exposure feasibility experiment

Despite extensive efforts, a suitable test atmosphere could not be generated from the test substance ferro vanadium 80. The test material is solid and coarse-grained. In the attempts to create a suitable test atmosphere, no stable atmosphere could be generated because of the high particle size and density, i.e. no aerosol could be generated as the compound precipitated directly behind the outlet of the rotating brush dust generator

Consequently, for acute inhalation toxicity testing in the rat, it has been established beyond doubt that it is technically impossible to generate an aerosol that has a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of < 4 µm as required by the OECD 436 (2009) with the supplied test item “Ferro Vanadium 80”.

The supplied test material of ferro vanadium 80 is a powder with a particle size of D50 = 151.56 µm and a high density (Consilab, 2010, Ferro Vanadium 80, Relative density A.3 (OECD 109), unpublished report, Consilab Gesellschaft für Anlagensicherheit mbH, Frankfurt am Main: 6.4 g/m3).

In addition, the MMADs of ferro vanadium 80 are as follows:

 

deposition fractions

Sample

rel. density

D50 [µm]

MMAD1 [µm]

MMAD 2[µm]

GSD1

GSD2

Head [%]

TB [%]

PU [%]

Ferro vanadium 80

6.4

151.56

7.94

 

33.38

 

2.55

 

1.51

 

44.71

0.23

0.64

Reference: EBRC (2010)

This represents the particle size distribution of the test material that may become airborne under conditions of mechanical agitation, as they occur for example during loading/unloading, weighing and mixing operations.

According to the results of experimental testing, the test material has been shown to contain negligible amounts of fine particles of an inhalable size range as indicated by the dustiness measurements according to the Heubach-Method (Parr, 2010; see Table below).

 

Total dustiness and particle size distribution of the airborne fraction, references: Parr (2010)

 

cut off [µm]

cumulative particle size distribution

(i.e. percentage larger than cut off)

0.473

0.08

0.989

0.34

2.04

0.98

4.06

3.53

8.13

7.56

15.8

14.34

32.4

53.95

total dustiness [mg/g]

168.56

Furthermore, ferro vanadium 80 is an inorganic substance with a melting point > 1300°C, thus rendering its vapour pressure negligible.

Interpretation of results:
not classified
Remarks:
Migrated information Criteria used for interpretation of results: EU
Conclusions:
Based on the technical properties of ferro vanadium 80, the conduct of an acute inhalation toxicity test is neither technically feasible nor scientifically relevant for this type of compound. Due to the particle size, the low mobility and the negligible volatility, the test material “Ferro Vanadium 80” can safely be assumed to have a very low potential for human inhalation hazard during handling or application.
Executive summary:

25 mg of the test substance was used as a powder. The pre-exposure feasibility experiments were carried out using a dynamic inhalation apparatus (12 air changes/h) with a foreseen nose-only exposure of the animals according to KIMMERLE and TEPPER. The dust of the test item was generated with a rotating brush dust generator.

The MMADs/GSDs of ferro vanadium 80 are as follows (EBRC, 2010):

 

deposition fractions

Sample

rel. density

D50 [µm]

MMAD1 [µm]

MMAD 2[µm]

GSD1

GSD2

Head [%]

TB [%]

PU [%]

Ferro vanadium 80

6.4

151.56

7.94

 

33.38

 

2.55

 

1.51

 

44.71

0.23

0.64

Reference: EBRC (2010)

According to the results of experimental testing, the test material has been shown to contain negligible amounts of fine particles of an inhalable size range as indicated by the dustiness measurements according to the Heubach-Method (Parr, 2010; see Table below).

 

Total dustiness and particle size distribution of the airborne fraction, references: Parr (2010)

 

cut off [µm]

cumulative particle size distribution

(i.e. percentage larger than cut off)

0.473

0.08

0.989

0.34

2.04

0.98

4.06

3.53

8.13

7.56

15.8

14.34

32.4

53.95

total dustiness [mg/g]

168.56

.

Furthermore, ferro vanadium 80 is an inorganic substance with a melting point > 1300°C, thus rendering it’s vapour pressure negligible.

Consequently, for acute inhalation toxicity testing in the rat, it is beyond doubt impossible to generate with the supplied test item ferro vanadium 80 an aerosol that has a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of < 4 µm as required by the OECD 436 (2009).

 

According to the REACH guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment (Chapter R.7a: Endpoint specific guidance), ferro vanadium 80 can be excluded from acute inhalation testing, since if was not technically possible to generate a suitable testing atmosphere, the main study involving animal testing could not be initiated.

Based on the technical properties of Ferro Vanadium 80, the conduct of an acute inhalation toxicity test is neither technically feasible nor scientifically relevant for this type of compound. Due to the particle size, the low mobility and the negligible volatility, the test material “Ferro Vanadium 80” can safely be assumed to have a very low potential for human inhalation hazard during handling or application.

Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no adverse effect observed
Quality of whole database:
A GLP-study is reliable without restrictions.

Acute toxicity: via dermal route

Link to relevant study records
Reference
Endpoint:
acute toxicity: dermal
Data waiving:
other justification
Justification for data waiving:
other:
Endpoint conclusion
Endpoint conclusion:
no study available

Additional information

Oral toxicity

Vanadium (metal powder) is non-toxic if swallowed as the LD50 (rats, females) >2000 mg/kg b.w.

Inhalation toxicity

Speciation:

Upon dissolution, vanadium substances transform in artificial body fluids, including PBS, sweat, gastric juice and lung fluid, predominantlyto the pentavalent form, except in artificial lysosomal fluid; here, even pentavalent forms are converted almost completely to tetravalent species already after a short period of time (for more information on in vitro bioaccessibility testing,please refer IUCLID section 7).Thus, it can be assumed that vanadium speciation in body fluids is controlled by the conditions of the respective medium but not by the vanadium source.

Read-across concept:

The toxicity of vanadium may reasonably be considered to be determined by the bioavailability of vanadium. As a first surrogate for bioavailability, the solubility of a test substance may be used. Under conditions of the transformation/dissolution test (T/D, OECD Series 29) with vanadium carbide powder at a loading of 1 mg/L, dissolved vanadium concentrations after 28d were 41.7 and 27.8 µg V /L at pH 8 and pH 6, respectively. Under similar conditions of the T/D test with vanadium carbide nitride, dissolved vanadium concentrations after 28d at pH 8 and pH 6 were below 1.8 µg V /L whereas for vanadiun metal powder, dissolved vanadium concentrations after 28d were 38.4 and 39.6 µg V /L at pH 8 and pH 6 ,respectively. Vanadium carbide (2.1 mg/L; 20°C/pH 5.2), vanadium carbide nitride (0.01 mg/L; 20°C/pH 6.8) and vanadium metal (0.15 mg/L; 20°C/pH 5.8) are substances that are also poorly / sparingly soluble in water. In sum, read-across from vanadium compounds with similar water solubility, i.e. vanadium carbide and vanadium metal, is considered acceptable because kinetic data indicate a similar solubility potential.

Vanadium if produced in powder form is only produced as ferrovanadium. Based on the technical properties of a representative ferrovanadium (FeV80) powder (D50=151.56 μm, the conduct of an acute inhalation toxicity test is neither technically feasible nor scientifically relevant for this type of compound. The test material is solid and coarse-grained. In the attempts to create a suitable test atmosphere, no stable atmosphere could be generated because of the high particle size and density i.e. no aerosol could be generated as the compound precipitated directly behind the outlet of the rotating brush dust generator. Testing by the inhalation route with ferro vanadium 80 is not necessary since it was not possible to generate a stable testing atmosphere. Due to the particle size, the low mobility and the negligible volatility, the test material “Ferro Vanadium 80” can safely be assumed to have a very low potential for human inhalation hazard during handling or application.

Furthermore, vanadium was tested for its potential to become airborne (modified Heubach procedure, DIN 55992-1:2006), yielding an MMAD of 25.98 µm with a GSD of 1.64. On the basis of results of this dustiness test, MPPD modelling was performed and indicates that the substance does not penetrate to the deep lung tissues (tracheobronchial: 0.1%; pulmonary: 0%), whereas the inhaled material (Head: 52.8%) is cleared to the GI tract (by swallowing), where oral bioavailability will determine its uptake. Based on MMAD and MMPD modelling, respiration risk is low and vanadium has a very low potential for human inhalation hazard during handling or application.

Vanadium carbide is non-toxic if inhaled since the LC50 value (rats, 4 hours) is above 5.05 mg/L air (actual concentration). By read-across based on similar solubility and inhalability potentials or lack thereof, vanadium is considered to be also non-toxic.

Acute toxicity, dermal

Acute toxicity testing via the dermal route is considered not to be scientifically justified. However, following the HERAG guidance for metals and metal salts (see section 7.1.2 of the technical dossier, dermal absorption), a dermal absorption rate in the range of maximally 0.1-1.0 % can be anticipated. Dermal absorption in this order of magnitude is not considered to be “significant”.

Justification for selection of acute toxicity – oral endpoint

A reliable study conducted with vanadium metal is available.

Justification for selection of acute toxicity – inhalation endpoint

Two studies are reliable without restrictions.

Justification for classification or non-classification

The available information indicates that vanadium is not acutely toxic or harmful. Therefore, classification of vanadium for acute toxicity is not needed according to regulation (EC) 1272/2008.

Specific target organ toxicant (STOT) – single exposure

The classification criteria according to regulation (EC) 1272/2008 as specific target organ toxicant (STOT) – single exposure, oral, inhalation are not met since no reversible or irreversible adverse health effects were observed immediately or delayed after exposure.