ContaminantDB: Tungsten

Identification Taxonomy Biological Properties Physical Properties Toxicity Profile Spectra Concentrations Links References XML

Record Information

Version

1.0

Creation Date

2014-08-29 04:47:19 UTC

Update Date

2026-04-05 19:15:46 UTC

Accession Number

CHEM002919

Identification

Common Name

Tungsten

Class

Small Molecule

Description

Tungsten is a transition metal found, along with chromium, molybdenum and seaborgium, in Group VI of the Periodic Table of elements. Since its discovery in the last quarter of 18th century, tungsten-based products have been in use in a wide range of applications stretching from daily household necessities to highly specialized components of modern science and technology. As new applications and uses are discovered continuously, interest on and demand for tungsten, already an essential commodity, are projected to increase steadily in the years to come. Unavoidably, as is the case with other natural materials and/or non-renewable resources, increased demand and use of tungsten will spawn (a) increased interactions with other materials and/or non-sustainable practices, (b) a greater number of possible entry points into the natural and human environment and (c) a higher probability of deliberate or accidental releases. Currently, the existing knowledge base does not provide clear information about the behavior of tungsten-based products in the environment. The toxicological profile of tungsten, including possible effects on living organisms and exposure pathways, remains rather sketchy, narrow and fragmentary. Regulation of tungsten, both in terms of environmental and occupational safety and health, is at present limited in comparison with other metals. This pattern of environmental obscurity has been unequivocally disrupted by the events of Fallon, Nevada and the possible implication of tungsten to an acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) cluster. Tungsten is now the focus of scrutiny as it currently occupies the top of 'to do' lists of various regulatory, health and environmental agencies. The occurrence of a childhood leukemia cluster in Fallon, Nevada prompted a wide investigation that involved several local, state and federal agencies led by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). In essence, the objective of this investigation was to assess whether environmental causes were responsible for the cluster. The 16 reported leukemia cases within the time frame of 1997-2001, were well above the average for Nevada (3.0 cases/100,000 children/5 years). Several possible causes were proposed, such as jet fuel (JP-8) from a nearby military base or from a JP-8 pipeline running through the city, high levels of arsenic and other metals in the drinking water supplies, industrial pollution from a local tungsten smelting facility, and agrochemical contamination resulting from agricultural pesticide/fungicide use. Although the exact causes of leukemia are not well known, genetic and/or environmental factors may trigger the disease including ionizing and electromagnetic radiation, infectious and chemical agents. Physiologically, it exists as an ion in the body. (1).

Contaminant Sources

FooDB Chemicals
HMDB Contaminants - Urine
HPV EPA Chemicals
T3DB toxins

Contaminant Type

Food Toxin
Fungicide
Household Toxin
Industrial/Workplace Toxin
Inorganic Compound
Metabolite
Metal
Natural Compound
Pesticide
Pollutant

Chemical Structure

MOL SDF PDB SMILES InChI

Synonyms

Value	Source
W(4+)	ChEBI
Tungsten ion	HMDB
Tunsten	HMDB
Wolfram	HMDB
Wolframium	HMDB

Chemical Formula

Average Molecular Mass

183.840 g/mol

Monoisotopic Mass

183.951 g/mol

CAS Registry Number

7440-33-7

IUPAC Name

tungsten(4+) ion

Traditional Name

tungsten(4+) ion

SMILES

[W+4]

InChI Identifier

InChI=1S/W/q+4

InChI Key

YFGRPIXHCIXTLM-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Chemical Taxonomy

Description

belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as homogeneous transition metal compounds. These are inorganic compounds containing only metal atoms,with the largest atom being a transition metal atom.

Kingdom

Inorganic compounds

Super Class

Homogeneous metal compounds

Class

Homogeneous transition metal compounds

Sub Class

Not Available

Direct Parent

Homogeneous transition metal compounds

Alternative Parents

Not Available

Substituents

Homogeneous transition metal

Molecular Framework

Not Available

External Descriptors

monoatomic tetracation (CHEBI:30517 )
tungsten cation (CHEBI:30517 )

Biological Properties

Status

Detected and Not Quantified

Origin

Exogenous

Cellular Locations

Cytoplasm
Extracellular

Biofluid Locations

Not Available

Tissue Locations

Liver

Pathways

Not Available

Applications

Not Available

Biological Roles

micronutrient

Chemical Roles

Not Available

Physical Properties

State

Solid

Appearance

White powder.

Experimental Properties

Property	Value
Melting Point	3410°C
Boiling Point	5900°C (10652°F)
Solubility	Not Available

Predicted Properties

Property	Value	Source
logP	0	ChemAxon
Physiological Charge	4	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count	0	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count	0	ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area	0 Å²	ChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count	0	ChemAxon
Refractivity	0 m³·mol⁻¹	ChemAxon
Polarizability	1.78 Å³	ChemAxon
Number of Rings	0	ChemAxon
Bioavailability	1	ChemAxon
Rule of Five	Yes	ChemAxon
Ghose Filter	No	ChemAxon
Veber's Rule	Yes	ChemAxon
MDDR-like Rule	No	ChemAxon

Spectra

Spectrum Type	Description	Splash Key	View
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positive	splash10-001i-0900000000-5aed1c5d3e646fa1fdaf	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positive	splash10-001i-0900000000-5aed1c5d3e646fa1fdaf	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positive	splash10-001i-0900000000-5aed1c5d3e646fa1fdaf	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negative	splash10-001i-0900000000-4c1e004288d3337c0097	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negative	splash10-001i-0900000000-4c1e004288d3337c0097	Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negative	splash10-001i-0900000000-4c1e004288d3337c0097	Spectrum

Toxicity Profile

Route of Exposure

Ingestion (5); inhalation (5); absorption (5)

Mechanism of Toxicity

Tungsten oxide (or tungsten trioxide: WO3) is a chemical compound containing oxygen and the transition metal tungsten. Possible health impact of WO3 nanoparticles (NPs) upon introduction into the body is of great interest. Cytotoxicity, inflammation and increased oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation are prominently discussed to be relevant factors regarding the safety of small particles down to the nano-range. It has been reported that different sizes and morphologies of NPs have the potential to influence the interaction with many kind of biomolecules, including proteins, enzymes and DNA. The liver was considered as a target site for nanotoxicity due to its accumulative properties after ingestion, inhalation or absorption. (5) Tungsten interferes with molybdenum and copper metabolism and is somewhat toxic to animal life. (Wikipedia)

Metabolism

Not Available

Toxicity Values

Not Available

Lethal Dose

Not Available

Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)

No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).

Uses/Sources

Not Available

Minimum Risk Level

Not Available