Welding Rod Questions & Answers

• What is Manganese?
• What is Manganism?
• What is Manganese Poisoning?
• Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to manganese?
• What is Parkinson?s Disease?
• Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?

What is Manganese?

Manganese is a metal that can be found in many types of rock. It does not occur naturally in pure form; instead, it is usually combined with oxygen, chlorine, carbon, or sulfur. Manganese is a dietary element essential to maintaining good health. It is also necessary for proper development in children.

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What is Manganism?

Manganism, a disease caused by exposure to excessive levels of manganese, attacks the central nervous system, kidney, and liver. Manganism, or manganese poisoning, is characterized by diminished motor skills and psychological disturbances. Manganism has been classified as a Parkinson?s syndrome.

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What is Manganese Poisoning?

Manganese poisoning, or manganese toxicity, causes several health effects. The side effects of manganese poisoning include:

• Tremors
• Impaired hand-eye coordination
• Weakness or lethargy
• Clumsiness
• Awkward gait
• Difficulty with facial expression
• Speech difficulties
• Psychological problems
• Respiratory difficulties
• Decreased sexual function
• Damage to developing fetus

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Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to manganese?

Tests are available that show levels of manganese in different body fluids. Measurements of manganese in blood, urine, feces, and scalp hair can be used to determine exposure to excess levels of manganese by testing whether levels of the metal in your body tissues are greater than normal. However, these tests cannot predict how the levels in your tissues will affect your health. Your doctor can take samples and send them to a testing laboratory.

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What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a disorder characterized by shaky movements and difficulty with walking and coordination. Parkinson?s disease is caused by the progressive destruction of the nerve cells that control muscle movement.

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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health?

The EPA has set a non-enforceable guideline for the level of manganese in drinking water at 0.05 milligrams per liter (0.05 mg/L).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a limit of 5 milligrams manganese per cubic meter (5 mg/m?) of workplace air for the average amount of manganese during an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek.

The National Research Council has recommended safe and adequate daily intake levels for manganese that range from 0.3 to 1 mg/day for children up to 1 year, 1 to 2 mg/day for children up to age 10, and 2 to 5 mg/day for children 10 and older.

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