Research Article Open Access
Mirmohammadi, J Pollut Eff Cont 2014, 2:2
DOI: 10.4172/2375-4397.1000116
Review Article Open Access
Volume 2 • Issue 2 • 1000116
J Pollut Eff Cont
ISSN:2375-4397 JPE, an open access journal
Keywords: Manganese; Working exposure; Biomarker; Occupational
health
Introduction
Tere are many chemical materials which can afect on human health
as air pollutant, one of them is manganese exists as airborne particulate
matter in ferrous foundries is manganese particle. Furnacemen are
exposed to manganese (Mn) in the workplaces from both naturally
occurring processes and processing activities. Tere are variety of
pollution sources in such factories include furnaces, melting process,
cars, lif trucks, sanding and combustion. Because of their small size
particles, tend to remain and suspending in the air for long periods of
time (weeks or months). Usually, the health efects of Manganese (Mn)
airborne particles for human are likely to depend on several parameters,
including the ingredient of melting materials, duration of and level of
exposure, size of the particles, and individual characterization of the
exposed subject. High exposure to airborne manganese may tend to
accumulation of the compound in the basal ganglia of the brain [1,2],
where it may toxic condition for subjects [3]. Researchers illustrated
that the neurological disorder of manganese (`manganism’) that bears
many similarities to Parkinson’s disease for exposed workers [4-6]. To
prevent of work-related disease early indicators of the clinical efects
and sensitive parameters of manganese exposure are needed. Te major
parameter to control the exposure is time weighted average exposure
for manganese airborne particulate concentration is about 1 mg/m
3
in workplaces. Te manganese preclinical adverse efects have been
observed to cause in the central nervous systems in workers exposed
for less than 20 years [7]. A few studies have revealed basis subclinical
intoxication which has been observed in manganese exposed workers
with moderate (1 ± 4 lg/l) increases in B-Mn [8,9]. Te foundry
furnacemen are potentially exposed to manganese pollution during
melting, weighting, transportation of recycled manganese-alloyed
iron scrap from storehouse to furnace as well as manganese fumes
exposure from the furnaces, especially during smelting in the foundry
workplace. Te non-furnace workers may be potentially exposed
to manganese during the handling of manganese-alloyed iron and
preparing of the production and maintenance. Tere is a need to
fnd personal exposure with manganese particles in foundry factory
based on local psychrometric condition such as relative humidity,
dry bulb temperature, wind speed and altitude; it may improve our
understanding of what humans are actually exposed to and how to
reduce this exposure. Assessment of indoor air quality may carry out
by variety study models such as regression model or multiple linear
models aimed for pollution estimation with emphasis on particle
matter distribution of efectiveness by psychrometric parameters in
the workplaces. Similarly, regression model was used before by other
researchers in terms of pollution predictive model [10-12].
Manganese Exposures
Te ferrous foundry iron and steel industry is especially diferent in
materials and processes, resulting in occupational exposures to a wide
variety of substances. Te introduction of organic binder materials in
the late 1950s has resulted in exposures of foundry workers to other
chemicals, including phenol, formaldehyde, isocyanates and various
amines. Earlier exposure studies have been reviewed previously (IARC,
1984). Furthermore, the main toxic element in the foundry workplaces
is airborne manganese which inhales by exposed worker. Te threshold
limit value (TLV) for Mn exposure according to NIOSH standards for
fne particulate matters in the factories should not exceed 1 mg/m³
(NIOSH).
Mn Biomarkers of Exposure
According to occupational health studies, blood and urine Mn
levels have been the most widely used biomarkers of exposure for
researchers. Te range of manganese (Mn) for normal whole blood is
from 7-12 μg/l and 0.6 to 4.3 μg/l in serum [13]. Blood Mn (Mn B) is not
*Corresponding author: Seyedtaghi Mirmohammadi, Msc, PhD, Assist. Prof.
(Indoor Air Pollution), MSc (Occupational Health), Department of Occupational
Health, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran,
Sari, Iran, Tel: +981133543617/ +981513543617; E-mail: mirtaghim@yahoo.com
Received August 20, 2014; Accepted September 16, 2014; Published September
29, 2014
Citation: Mirmohammadi S (2014) Manganese Exposure and Toxicity. J Pollut Eff
Cont 2: 116 doi: 10.4172/2375-4397.1000116
Copyright: © 2014 Mirmohammadi S, et al. This is an open-access article
distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
One of the main essential elements for human is Manganese (Mn). Furthermore Mn is a row material for many
king of ferrous foundry and there is a working exposure to Mn for workers in the workplaces. High exposure to Mn
can result in increase in human tissues levels and neurological effects. Though, there should be some threshold
limit value for Mn exposure related to adverse effects may occur and increase with higher exposures further than
threshold limit. Conclusions from scientifc literatures related to Mn toxicity revealed that this pollutant can effect
on brain system and create some neurological disorders or neurological endpoints which measured in many of the
occupational health assessments. Many researches have tried to show a relationship regards to biomarkers with
neurological effects, such as neurological changes or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes have not been
founded for Mn. More precise study need for Mn risk assessment for industrial pollution exposure and it will be used
to recognize situations that may guide to understand Mn accumulation on brain and Mn metabolism in different
exposed workers. Workplace evaluations for Mn will prepare valuable scientifc information for the development
of more scientifcally sophisticated guidelines, regulations and recommendations for future study and for Mn
occupational toxicity control and exposure prevention in the related workplaces.
Manganese Exposure and Toxicity
Seyedtaghi Mirmohammadi*
Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Sari, Iran
Journal of Pollution Effects & Control
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ISSN: 2375-4397