Effects of manganese exposure from drinking water in children
Manganese is a naturally occurring metal that is necessary for children's growth and good health in small amounts. Everyone is exposed to manganese in air, water, and food, but when levels of manganese exceed what is outlined to be safe, health effects can be suffered. The required nutrient of about 1 – 10 mg per day can pose a neurotoxic risk in amounts exceeding the typical dietary intake.
When children are unable to remove excess levels of manganese from their bodies, nervous system problems can develop. Mothers exposed to high levels of manganese through drinking water while pregnant have alleged birth defects were caused because of the intake. According to animal studies, there is the indication that exposure to high levels of manganese can cause birth defects in the unborn, but there is the absence of information on whether this is consistent with mothers as well.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reports several studies that showed decreased ability in neurobehavioral performance testing and in several educational parameters among children exposed to high, chronic levels of manganese in drinking water and diet. The children were exposed to the manganese for at least several years.
While there has been speculation that chronic low-level exposure to excess manganese may be detrimental to children, documentation is still lacking. Subtle neurologic toxicity has been reported in epidemiologic studies of adults that were exposed to manganese contaminated water.
In a study of 92 pairs of Chinese children between the ages of 11 and 13, half of the study participants had been exposed to elevated manganese concentrations in drinking water. The exposed children had lower scores on tests of short-term memory, manual dexterity, and visual-perceptual speed than the unexposed children. Because the potential effects of chronic manganese exposure through drinking water or other sources can potentially increase susceptibility to neurologic effects, further, more conclusive investigation should be performed.
Especially with the fairly recent introduction of a new gasoline additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl into the marketplace, a greater likelihood of increased manganese into the environment, as well as inhalation of it by children, could be presenting new environmental risks in children. Without knowing what type of implication new manganese exposure sources can have on children, the potential effects on neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral aspects of children could be at risk.
Given that manganese is a well-known occupational toxicant that causes a depletion of brain dopamine and a syndrome of motor dysfunction and memory loss that resembles Parkinson's disease, the consideration of children's particular susceptibility to possible effects of high levels of manganese exposure because they absorb and retain more manganese than adults deserves careful attention.
To learn more about manganese exposure from drinking water in children, and other various side effects of manganese,please contact an attorney.
