Risk assessment of manganese

The concentration of manganese was determined in the work environment of eight enterprises by welding and metal processing (198 samples) as well as in biological samples (blood, hair) of workers (180 samples). Industrially exposed individuals had significantly higher levels of manganese in blood and hair than the control group--7.6 times higher in blood and 3.2 times higher in hair. Neurobehavioral examination was performed by physician and specific questionnaire (Q16) containing 16 "yes" or "no" items relating to neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is possible to use the level of manganese in biosamples as the indicator of health risk by occupationally exposed individuals.