Does tungsten create a risk of developing a stroke?

Scientists from the University of Exeter /Great Britain/ suggest that the metal tungsten and its compounds have a cytotoxic effect on the human body.

The study they conducted showed that high concentrations of tungsten in the urine were associated with doubling the risk of developing a stroke. The results of the study were published in the journal PLOS ONE.

The team of scientists led by Jessica Tyrrell analyzed the data obtained in the course of a large-scale study of the health of 8,614 Americans aged 18 to 74 over a 12-year period.

A strong correlation was found between the presence of high levels of tungsten in the body, consisting of an increased concentration of the metal in the urine and an increased risk of stroke.

This relationship is particularly pronounced, as the results of the study showed, in young people, in the age range up to 50 years, in which the presence of tungsten increases the risk of stroke 2 times.

Study results were obtained after accounting for all concomitant risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The study authors suggest that the negative impact of tungsten is likely related to the oxidative stress induced by the metal in human cells.

Tungsten and its alloys and compounds are widely used in metallurgy, as well as in the production of consumer goods, such as computers and mobile phones, which is associated with the sharp increase in the volume of use of the metal in the global industry in recent years.

However, the toxicology of this metal still remains poorly studied.

Scientists believe that a small part of the metal during production can end up in the environment, in water systems and in the soil, and eventually in the human body.

The study authors stress that they are not sure why tungsten accumulates in the body in some people, but it is important to study and prevent the associated health risks.

Co-author of the study Nicholas Osborne points out that the link between stroke and tungsten may be just the tip of the iceberg.

More and more new chemical substances, appearing as a result of the implementation of the latest scientific discoveries in production, fall into the environment and accumulate in the form of a chemical cocktail in our bodies. However, we still know nothing about their impact on human health.