Vanadium
Vanadium is a rare earth metal that is widely distributed in the earth's crust. The primary uses of vanadium are in the steel manufacturing industry and oil refineries and power plants using vanadium-rich fuels. Other manufacturing uses of vanadium include the production of pesticides, dyes, inks, and other chemicals. Humans are normally exposed to low concentrations of vanadium in food. Vanadium may be an essential element for human nutrition, but there is no consensus in the scientific literature. Potential adverse health effects due to chronic exposure are primarily thought to be developmental based on animal studies, but there is limited evidence.
EPA MCLG Level
0.05 ppb
Maximum level that poses minimal health risk based on the latest science
Health Effects
Health protective benchmarks for vanadium in drinking water are based on animal studies that have shown oral exposure to vanadium can lead to adverse developmental outcomes (e.g. low birth weight in offspring) and other non-specific body effects (e.g., reduced body weight in animal studies). Evidence for vanadium toxicity from oral exposure at concentrations relevant to drinking water is low.
Affected Organs & Systems:
Common Sources
- The main source of vanadium in source waters is manufacturing contamination. Drinking water may also become contaminated with vanadium through pipe corrosion when vanadium forms complexes with metals like lead and iron.
How to Remove It
Water filters certified under the following NSF standards are effective at removing Vanadium:
EPA MCLG Level
The EPA MCLG represents the maximum level that poses minimal health risk based on the latest scientific research. It's often more protective than federal legal limits.
Contaminant Type
Vanadium is classified as a Metals contaminant.
This contaminant primarily affects the developmental.
Check Your Water
Find out if Vanadium is in your tap water.
Search Your CityTest Your Water for This Contaminant
Public water reports may not test frequently enough or at your specific tap. Professional home testing provides current, location-specific results.
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