Molybdenum - 42Mo: biological information
Molybdenum is a necessary element, apparently for all species. Only very small amounts are required. Molybdenum plays a role in nitrogen fixation, (a process by which the normally unreactive nitrogen gas is turned into other compounds) enzymes, and nitrate reduction enzymes.
Levels in humans
The abundances of the elements in humans.
- Human abundance by weight: 100 ppb by weight
- Human abundance by atoms: 7 atoms relative to C = 1000000
How much molybdenum is in your body? Find out here.
You can use this form to calculate how much molybdenum your body contains. Enter your weight in either kilograms or pounds and click the "Calculate" button. You must enter a number, not text! Elements for which there are no data will always give a value of zero for the weight, no matter what you put in the weight box.
Hazards and Risks
Hazards and risks associated with molybdenum:
Molybdenum compounds are encountered relatively rarely by most people. Unless known otherwise, all molybdenum compounds should be regarded as highly toxic and as teratogenic.
References
- J.E. Huheey, E.A. Keiter, and R.L. Keiter in Inorganic Chemistry : Principles of Structure and Reactivity, 4th edition, HarperCollins, New York, USA, 1993.
- S. Budavari (Ed.) in The Merck Index, 11th ed., Merck, USA, 1989.
- N.N. Greenwood and A. Earnshaw in Chemistry of the Elements, 2nd edition, Butterworth, UK, 1997.