Molybdenum: Info, Facts and Uses; Toxicity

Overview
Molybdenum (Mo) is a transition metal found in Group 6 which is located at the middle part of the periodic table. Its atomic mass is 95.94 while its atomic number is 42. Mo is a hard metal with a really high melting point. This element is widely used in making alloys, which are a mixture of different kinds of metal. Steel is one of the most popular alloys of Mo. It increases the steel’s hardness, toughness, strength, corrosion and resistance to wear.

Molybdenite is the most common ore of this element. This ore contains MoS2 which is a squishy black powder that resembles graphite. It took some time for early chemists to differentiate graphite from MoS2 because they were almost the same material.

One of the major problems about this compound is that it can’t be ground up. Early chemists had a hard time grinding up the compound because of its soft characteristic.

They even used different kinds of acids just to dissolve it. It wasn’t until 1781 that a chemist name Peter Jacob Hielm found a solution to work with MoS2. He found that the compound contains a new kind of element. The name of Mo actually caused some confusion in the early days because mollybdos is the Greek word for lead.

Exposure: Mo is naturally found in the environment as Molybdenite, which is why everyone can be exposed to little amounts of it through breathing air, drinking water or eating foods. Common sources of exposure include eating the following foods: liver, grains, leafy vegetables and legumes.

Work-related exposure to this element can be through contact or inhalation at workplaces that produce or use Mo. Some people may have exposure to this element through contact with their clothes which may contain toxic dust. People working in a factory that uses electronic process may also be exposed to fumes and dusts that contain Mo.

Health Effects:
The effects brought about by exposure to this element depend on the level, concentration and length of time of exposure. Age, health status, lifestyle, diet and family traits should also be considered. Mo is an important nutrient in human health because it is necessary to process amino acids.

Irritation of the mucous membranes and eyes may result from dermal contact to Mo and inhalation of Mo dusts and fumes.

Uric acid increase in the blood, also known as hyperuricemia, can occur due to the ingestion of this element, usually around 10-15 mg per day, for an extended period of time. Mo toxicity is rare because it involves an ingestion of a dose greater than 100 mg per day in order for symptoms of toxicity to surface.

Mo toxicity is also related to the copper content of the human body. Inadequate amounts of copper in the body can increase someone’s risk of exposure. It has been reported that ingesting a great amount of Mo can cause copper deficiency and this can make someone more susceptible to exposure. Some rare diseases like Wilson’s disease are said to be curable by using this element.

Mo compounds that can be dissolved in water are easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. Once absorbed, the compounds will spread throughout the body and will generally concentrate more in the bones, spleen, kidneys and liver. For people who already have respiratory related diseases, Mo compound may worsen their symptoms because of the irritation the compound may cause.

Some miners exposed to this element may have several nonspecific symptoms such as muscle pains, headache, fatigue and weakness. High exposure at work for a long period of time may also increase someone’s risk of having lung cancer.

Reducing Risk of Exposure:
Some preventive measures can be done to reduce the risk of exposure. If someone has been exposed to Mo dusts and fumes in the outside air, washing of the hands and face is needed before eating.

If the soil is suspected to being contaminated by Mo, people nearby should cover it with a new soil to reduce their exposure. Rugs can be put outside each entry of the house to decrease the chance of Mo dust getting in the house.

If pets are often outside, they can also be exposed to Mo dusts. Make sure to brush them every day outside to get out any dust particles. Garden vegetables and root crops should also be cleaned carefully before eating or cooking them.

Chemical Properties
Molybdenum (Mo) does not dissolve in some chemical reagents such as dilute sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, ammonia and hydrofluoric acid, but it can be dissolved in hot strong nitric and sulfuric acid. This metal reacts with oxygen at high temperature, but not at room temperature.

Physical Properties
Molybdenum (Mo) appears to be a solid silver-white metal. As a powder, it looks like a black or dark gray powder that has a metallic luster. It has a boiling point of 8,600 – 10,000 ˚F (4,800 – 5,560 ˚C) and a melting point of 4,700 ˚F (2,610 ˚C).

Uses:
More than 75% of the production of this metal goes to steel and iron manufacturing. The alloys made from steel and this metal provide improved durability, hardness and ability to withstand extreme temperatures. This metal is also used in high temperature applications as a refractory metal.

It can be used as a coating, pigment and lubricant for engine and machine parts. Another important use of this metal is that it can be used as a catalyst. Mo catalysts are used in several chemical operations, polymer productions and petroleum productions. Additional uses of this element include softening tungsten alloys, making light bulb filaments, missile, and riffle barrels.

Mo is an important element for all plants and animals. It is a nutrient that plays a big role in plant fertilizers and food. This element is also naturally found in foods such as spinach, green peas, cauliflower and whole grains. Even though little amounts of this element are important to human health, high amounts of it can be dangerous and toxic.

[The information contained in this article is believed to be reliable. I have taken every precaution to verify its accuracy; I am not a medical professional and make no warranties, representations or guarantees of any kind as to its accuracy. Medical knowledge is in a constant state of change, and what I have written here may be out of date by the time you read it. The information that I have provided here is for informational purposes only and not for use in diagnosing any condition that you may or may not have. Always consult with you doctor before treating yourself.]