Vanadium in Ambient Air: Concentrations in Lung Tissue from Autopsies of Mexico City Residents in the 1960s and 1990s

Abstract

Vanadium concentrations in lung tissue were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry from autopsy specimens taken from residents of Mexico City during the 1960s and 1990s (20 males and 19 females, and 30 males and 18 females, respectively). Samples from the 1990s had significantly increased mean vanadium concentrations (mean +/- standard deviation: 1.36 +/- 0.08), compared with those from the 1960s (1.04 +/- 0.05). Concentrations were not correlated with gender, smoking habit, age, cause of death, or occupation. These findings suggest that vanadium in ambient air is increasing and it represents a potential health hazard for Mexico City residents. Air pollution monitoring efforts should include vanadium concentrations in suspended particles to follow-up the findings reported herein. Researchers need to acquire a better knowledge of the levels of airborne vanadium exposure at which risk to human health occurs.

CD11c decrease in mouse thymic dendritic cells after vanadium inhalation

“…Six filters for each inhalation were evaluated. The final concentration in the chamber was, as expected, 1.4 mg V 2 O 5 /m 3 (Fortoul et al, 2002). As we have reported previously , the concentration selected for our experimental model is greater than that in workplaces (ranging from 0.2-0.5 mg/m 3 ) reported by the IARC (2006), but in the range for those noted by the WHO (2000) (i.e., 0.01-60 mg/m 3 ).…”

“…The V 2 O 5 levels in the chamber were quantified as in Fortoul et al (2002), i.e., a filter was positioned at the external outlet of the ultra-nebulizer during the entire exposure period and samples collected at a flow rate or 10 L/min. After each exposure, the filters were removed and weighed; the element was quantified following the same protocol as with tissue samples.…”

“…High vanadium concentrations (>600 mg/kg) have also been detected in soils in the vicinity of petrochemical plants in Mexico-as a consequence of airborne particulate emissions resulting from high levels of oil/fuel burning (Hernandez and Rodriguez, 2011). Thus, we deemed the level of V used here would adequately reflect airborne V exposures that occur routinely among the citizenry of many urban centers, including Mexico City (Fortoul et al 2002), and are also readily encountered in occupational settings.…”

“…It is considered an atmospheric pollutant that has (over the last decades) been found in increased concentrations in the atmosphere in cities with heavy motor traffic, such as Mexico City (Fortoul et al, 2002). Vanadium is liberated into the atmosphere as a consequence of fossil fuel combustion and metallurgic industrial activities (Hope, 1994).…”

“…Vanadium is liberated into the atmosphere as a consequence of fossil fuel combustion and metallurgic industrial activities (Hope, 1994). Vanadium presence is high in fossil fuels, especially in Mexican petroleum (IPCS, 2000;Fortoul et al, 2002;Rodriguez-Mercado et al, 2006). The pre-eminent compounds liberated after the combustion are oxides, such as vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ).…”