Wolframium (183,9 a.m.u.) is not a vital element for human body. In manufacturing industry, it is being used for production of various alloys. High-melting and solid metal it is used in production of filaments in electric bulbs, x-ray tubes, vacuum tubes, heating elements, rocket technology.
Wolframium intoxication could be caused by long-lasting treatment of industrial dust and vapours and in cases of occasional swallowing of wolframates. Anionic form of wolframium (wolframate) is being easily absorbed in gastro-intestinal tract, cationic form and metallic wolframium are not absorbing. Toxicity mechanisms are being linked with blockage of molybdenum-containing ferments. Some researches states possible relation of increased wolframium concentration in environment with increasing cases of children leukaemia.
