Vanadium compounds

Burning heavy fuel oil or coal, metal/alloy production, and catalyst manufacture/regeneration; ship emissions and fly ash are common sources. Vanadium also occurs naturally in soil and some foods [1][2].

Mostly by breathing dust or fumes at work, or air pollution near ports, refineries, and oil‑fired power plants. Smaller amounts come from food; drinking water is usually a minor source [1][3].

Inhalation can cause cough, wheeze, throat/eye irritation, and bronchitis; repeated high exposure can damage lungs. Vanadium pentoxide is possibly carcinogenic (IARC) and is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen (NTP) [1][4][5].

Workers handling vanadium pentoxide or fly ash (boilers, refineries, catalyst plants), and people with asthma, children, and older adults in port/refinery areas [6][1].

At work, use ventilation, housekeeping, and NIOSH-recommended PPE/respirators. In communities, use cleaner fuels, maintain oil heaters, follow air‑quality alerts, use HEPA filtration, and wet‑clean dust [6][3][1].