Tris(pentane-2,4-dionato-O,O')vanadium

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Study period:

1962

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: well documented report of a poisoning incident

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Acute Vanadium Pentoxide Intoxication

Author:

Zenz C, Bartlett JP, Thiede WH

Year:

1962

Bibliographic source:

Archieves of environmental health, Vol. 5

Materials and methods

Study type:

poisoning incident

Endpoint addressed:

acute toxicity: inhalation

eye irritation

respiratory irritation

other: inhalatory absorption

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline available

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Divanadium pentaoxide

EC Number:

215-239-8

EC Name:

Divanadium pentaoxide

Cas Number:

1314-62-1

Molecular formula:

O5V2

IUPAC Name:

dioxovanadiooxy(dioxo)vanadium

Test material form:

solid

Specific details on test material used for the study:

particle size: 0.1 - 10 µm

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Subjects:

- Number of subjects exposed: 18
- Sex: male
- Age: 21 - 55

Ethical approval:

not applicable

Route of exposure:

dermal

inhalation

ocular

Reason of exposure:

unintentional, occupational

Exposure assessment:

estimated

Details on exposure:

18 men were exposed to vanadium pentoxide particles of a size between 0.1 and 10 µm at a concentration of 0.5 mg/m3 air. The dry powder-like material created a heavy dust throughout the entire plant area. In addition, vanadium fumes may have been produced from the high temperature kiln. The workers were exposed daily for 2 weeks with and without respirators (The respirators were of no value). Those most severly affected lost from 4.5 to 11 work days; those least affected lost no work time.

Examinations:

- Urine analysis: routinely, including microscopic examination, qualitative spectrographic analyses for anadium (7 d interval)
- Haematology: white blood cell counts
- Lung function parameters: Studies of ventilatory function were performed by means of a Stead-Wells respirator (Collins). The ventilatory parameters consisted of the forced vital capacity (FVC), the 0.5 second and 1.0 second forced expiratory volume (FEV 0.5 and 1.0), the maximal expiratory flow rate (MEFR), the 200-1,00 cc. flow rate (MMF), the maximal mid-expiratory time (MMET), and the forced inspiratory vital capacity (FIVC). It was studies within two weeks of acute exposure and again two weeks later.
- Other: chest x-rays were taken on all men during the acute phase of their illness

Medical treatment:

A simple cough syrup was given all men for symptomatic relief. Several of the most severely ill were treated with aerosolized bronchodilator agents such as isoproterenol in a dilution of 1:200. Three workers were given oral ephedrine in a combination with a mild barbiturate.

Results and discussion

Clinical signs:

upper and lower respiratory tract irritation (nasopharyngitis, hacking cough, fine rales and wheezing), bronchospastic, conjunctivitis, clinical illness

Results of examinations:

- Urine analysis: presence of vanadium in urine in twelve workers (up to 2 weeks), persisted longest in those with the most severe clinical illness.
- Haematology: white blood cell counts were elevated in 9 of 17 men and ranged from 10,000 to 16,000 cells. The count was generally elevated in direct proportion to the severity of the clinical illness
- Lung function parameters: no worker manifested clinical auscultatory evidence of wheezing, rhonchus or rales.
- Other: chest x-rays: all normal

Effectivity of medical treatment:

medical treatment and removal from the contaminated working environment proved clinically effective

Any other information on results incl. tables

The onset and severity of symptoms equated directly with the intensity of exposure. The symptoms due to a second exposure were of greater intensity than those following the first exposure.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Acute exposure to vanadium pentoxide resulted in upper and lower respiratory tract irritation, nasopharyngitis, hacking cough, fine rales and wheezing, bronchospastic, eye irritation (conjunctivitis), clinical illness. The onset and severity of symptoms equated directly with the intensity of exposure. The symptoms due to a second exposure were of greater intensity than those following the first exposure. The detection of vanadum in the urine indicates systemic absorption of vanadium after the inhalatory exposure.

Executive summary:

Eighteen workers became acutely ill following inhalation of high concentrations (estimated 0.5 mg/m3 air) vanadium pentoxide particles of small particle size (0.1 and 10 µm). The clinical signs were irritation of the upper and lower respiratory tract, nasopharyngitis, hacking cough, fine rales and wheezing, bronchospastic, eye irritation (conjunctivitis), clinical illness. The onset and severity of symptoms equated directly with the intensity of exposure. The symptoms due to a second exposure were of greater intensity than those following the first exposure. The detection of vanadum in the urine indicates systemic absorption of vanadium after the inhalatory exposure.