[Neuropsychologic effects of occupational exposure to manganese]

A broad use of manganese and its compounds in industry generates adverse health effects in workers exposed. When setting environmental exposure criteria, changes in the central nervous system are considered as a critical health effect. The author describes these changes and reviews the latest reports on empirical studies employing psychological methods in detecting preclinical neurotoxic effects of manganese. Results of neuropsychological studies carried out in different countries and in different occupational groups exposed to rather low manganese concentrations evidence the range of changes in the function of the nervous system.