Is Vanadyl sulfate safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to Vanadyl sulfate than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What is vanadyl sulfate?
The IUPAC name is oxovanadium(2+) sulfate.
Also known as: oxovanadium(2+) sulfate, Vanadic sulfate, Vanadium oxide sulphate, Vanadium oxysulfate.
- IUPAC name
- oxovanadium(2+) sulfate
- CAS number
- 27774-13-6
- Molecular formula
- O5SV
- Molecular weight
- 163.01 g/mol
- SMILES
- [O-]S(=O)(=O)[O-].O=[V+2]
- PubChem CID
- 34007
Risk for babies
Moderate riskInfants are more vulnerable to Vanadyl sulfate than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Vanadyl sulfate, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Vanadyl sulfate. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 2020 | Not evaluated by IARC for carcinogenicity — vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4; vanadium(IV) oxysulfate) is a vanadium(IV) compound used as a dietary supplement promoted for insulin-mimetic effects and bodybuilding; vanadium is not established as an essential trace element in humans; vanadium compounds (particularly inorganic vanadium pentoxide) have a separate IARC Group 2A classification for lung cancer via inhalation in occupational settings; VOSO4 as a supplement compound has no established carcinogenicity classification; primary concerns are GI toxicity, renal toxicity, and absence of evidence for claimed health benefits | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 3 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 3 negative reports) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter vanadyl sulfate
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
- Consumer Products — dietary supplements, fortified foods, energy drinks
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Vanadyl sulfate:
-
Process redesign to avoid hazardous intermediates
Trade-offs: May require significant R&D investment. Not always feasible.Relative cost: 2-5×
Frequently asked questions
Is vanadyl sulfate safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to Vanadyl sulfate than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What products contain vanadyl sulfate?
Vanadyl sulfate appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments); dietary supplements (Consumer products).
What should I do if my child is exposed to vanadyl sulfate?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
Why do regulators disagree about vanadyl sulfate?
Vanadyl sulfate has been classified by 3 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Vanadyl sulfate in the baby app
Look up products containing vanadyl sulfate, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- Vanadyl Sulfate VOSO4 Vanadium IV Oxysulfate Supplement Bodybuilding Insulin-Mimetic; PTP Inhibition Tyrosine Phosphorylation IRS-1 Insulin Receptor Signaling; IARC Group 2A Vanadium Pentoxide V2O5 Vol 86 2006 Lung (Not VOSO4); Clinical Trials T2DM Modest HbA1c Reduction Insufficient Evidence; GI Toxicity Nausea Diarrhea Dose-Limiting 30 mg V/day; Green Tongue VO2+ Deposits Benign Cosmetic Sign; WHO PMTDI 1.8 mg/day Dietary 10-30 μg/day vs Supplement 30 mg; No UL Established IOM EFSA; Ti-6Al-4V Aerospace Alloy Vanadium; EU CLP Acute Tox 4 H302 H332; IARC Not Evaluated VOSO4 (2020) — regulatory
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →