Iron vanadium tetraoxide

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

No acute toxicity studies with iron vanadium tetraoxide are available, thus the acute toxicity will be addressed with existing data on the dissociation products. Iron vanadium tetraoxide is not acutely toxic via the oral route.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Acute toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

discriminating dose

Value:

2 000 mg/kg bw

Quality of whole database:

Two GLP-studies are reliable without restrictions, studies were conducted with vanadium carbide nitride and vanadium metal; read across is performed.

Acute toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Acute toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Justification for classification or non-classification

In order to evaluate toxicological properties of the substance iron vanadium tetraoxide, information on the assessment entities iron ions (i.e. diiron trioxide) and vanadium ions were considered. For a documentation and justification of that approach, please refer to the separate document attached to section 13, namely Read Across Assessment Report for iron vanadium tetraoxide.

The toxicity of iron vanadium tetraoxide may reasonably be considered to be determined by the bioavailability of the assessment entity "vanadium ions" since there are not any indications that the assessment entity “iron ions” (i.e. diiron trioxide) would be classified as hazardous for human health under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. Taking into consideration the essential role of iron in the human body it is considered unlikely that iron is acutely toxic. As stated by EFSA (2004) " iron is an essential trace element that has important metabolic functions, including oxygen transport and storage and many redox reactions. Insufficient intake results in the deficiency condition anaemia, adverse outcomes of pregnancy, impaired psychomotor development and cognitive performance and reduced immune function". 

As a first surrogate for bioavailability, the solubility of a test substance may be used. Iron vanadium tetraoxide (145.5 microg V/L & Fe ≤ 1.13 microg/L after 37 days; 20°C), 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. Read-across from vanadium compounds with similar or lower water solubility, i.e. vanadium carbide nitride and vanadium metal, is considered acceptable because kinetic data indicate a similar solubility potential. Vanadium carbide nitride and vanadium metal powder are non-toxic if swallowed since respective LD50 values (rats, females) are above 2000 mg/kg bw. By read-across based on a lower solubility potential, iron vanadium tetraoxide is considered to be also non-toxic. The classification criteria according to Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 as specific target organ toxicant (STOT) – single exposure, oral are not met since adverse health effects, including reversible and irreversible, were not observed immediately or delayed after exposure.

 

Thus, the available information indicates that iron vanadium tetraoxide is not acutely toxic or harmful via the oral route. Therefore, classification of iron vanadium tetraoxide for acute toxicity via the oral route is not required according to Regulation (EC) 1272/2008.