Advances in Biological Research 8 (6): 282-288, 2014 ISSN 1992-006 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.abr.2014.8.6.1278 Corresponding Author: Seyedtaghi Mirmohammadi, Molecular and Cellular Biology Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran. Tel: +981133543617. 282 Manganese Biological Monitoring of Occupational Exposure in Blood Serum Samples from Ferrous Foundry Workers Seyedtaghi Mirmohammadi Molecular and Cellular Biology Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran Abstract: Manganese (Mn) using as raw material for melting process in ferrous foundry and it is considered as a hazardous neurotoxic substance. The furnace-men and melting department workers are potentially exposed to manganese particles or fume in the workplace which accumulates in their central nervous system and neurological disorder observed for exposed workers. The objective of the research was to investigate the sources and levels of manganese exposure in the foundry by correlation of blood-manganese (B-Mn) and air- manganese (air-Mn) measurement. Air-Mn and B-Mn were measured involving workers (case= 35, control=35) who worked in a big size foundry during one year. The standard method of OSHA- ID121 was used for air and blood assessment and atomic absorbsion spectroscopy (AAS) was carried out for air and blood sample analysis. The air sampling results revealed that there is a high exposure to manganese (4.5 mg/m ) in the 3 workplace compare to NIOSH time weighted average (Reference TWA= 1 mg/m ). The average blood Mn 3 concentration were 2.745 and 274.85 µg/l for less than three months (n=35) and 3-12 months working experience (n= 35), respectively, it imply that there is a high accumulation of manganese in their blood. Risk assessment based on mutual evaluations of B-Mn and air-Mn seems to be valid in the understanding of workers' hazard. Our study indicates that B-Mn assessment by AAS may be a precious procedure for estimation of exposure condition based on working experience (more than 3 months). Key words: Manganese Foundry Blood assessment AAS Workers INTRODUCTION electrical strong furnace making metal melts by a high There are numerous workers as welders in different are zinc (Z) iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn) foundry factories in the world. Based on the production [4, 5, 33]. During melting process plenty of airborne process and client orders there are different welding particles and fume included manganese generate around procedures with regards to the metal using volume in worker respiratory system area. The inhaled manganese different processes [1-3]. A foundry process is a by occupational chronic exposure has straight correlation technology that produces metal castings and selected with increased central nerves system and respiratory metals are cast into many shapes by melting them into a disease such as manganism and bronchitis [6, 7]. A range liquid phase and pouring the metal in a prepared mold [1]. of researches have revealed the discharge of metal ions Solidification is a removing the mold material or casting from orthodontic organs in biologic fluids and most have after the metal and it is a cool process; also the most resulted that they do not achieve toxic concentrations common metals processed are manganese, cast iron and [8-10]. Researchers also reported that Mn is generally aluminum [4]. Nevertheless, other metals such as steel, accepted as essentials element for human, but for risk magnesium and bronze are also using for castings assessment related to exposure, it is need to consider production in the different foundries based on production both toxicity from high exposures and health effects as a plan. The most common type of foundry process used in result of deficiencies [10, 11]. Latest survey has reported industry is induction furnace system, in this process an premature neurological effects that happen on exposed heating method [4]. The main elements of melting process