Manganese and Parkinson's Disease
The Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology at the National Taiwan University Hospital found several cases of parkinsonism after there was an outbreak due to an unrepaired ventilation control system in a ferromanganese smelter. Parkinsonism is commonly mistaken for Parkinson's Disease due to the signs appearing the same as a person with Parkinson's Disease, including tremors, stiff muscles, or slow movements. The ventilation system in the smelter was not repaired for eight months in 1985, and 132 workers were then submitted to a thorough medical examination and estimated air concentrations of carbon monoxide and manganese at different worksites.
Six of eight workers performing electrod fixation or welding during 1985 developed parkinsonism after being exposed to manganese for 30 minutes every day for seven days a week. The workers had been subjected to high concentrations of air manganese. These parkinsonism developments showed the dangers of improper work conditions with harmful toxins like manganese, such as a breakdown of a ventilation system that can result in serious conditions.
In a ten-year follow up of five patients with chronic manganese intoxication the mean scores of the King's College Hospital Rating Scale for Parkinson's disease increased, with the deterioration most prominent in gait, rigidity, speed of foot tapping, and writing. The tissue concentrations of manganese contained in the blood, urine, scalp hair, and pubic hair had returned to normal. This data had indicated clinical progression in patients with manganese parkinsonism continues even ten years following their manganese exposure.
Parkinson's Disease has been linked to manganese exposure and the welding industry especially. Scientists have reported that welders studied had an average of the onset of Parkinson's Disease 15 years prior to the rest of the general population. Listed on the Hazardous Substance List, manganese is regulated by OSHA due to its high level of toxicity. It is recommended to routinely evaluate your exposure to hazardous substances, and for anyone who suspects they may be experiencing health problems due to manganese work exposure, a doctor trained to recognize occupational disease can help you avoid developing Parkinson's Disease, the progressive movement disorder that affects more than one million Americans, as well as other health problems.
About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is caused by the progressive impairment or deterioration of nerve cells in the brain. Normally, the nerve cells produce dopamine, the brain chemical that serves as a chemical messenger allowing communication between the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum to allow smooth and balanced muscle movement. As a result, people affected by Parkinson's Disease has a loss in the ability to control body movements, characterized by rigid movements, slow movements poor balance, walking problems, and tremors.
It is unknown why Parkinson's Disease occurs and how the neurons become impaired, but there is evidence that continues to correlate manganese exposure to the disease. Many doctors are unaware of the link between occupational hazard of manganese, especially with welding, and Parkinson's Disease, allowing the disease to progress without treatment. There are certain treatment options for Parkinson's to allow those suffering to live with the disease easier. Currently, no known prevention or cure for Parkinson's Disease exists, but there are precautions all workers should take when working in environments with manganese.
