Motor function, olfactory threshold, and hematological indices in manganese-exposed ferroalloy workers

Area of Science:

• Neurotoxicology
• Occupational Health
• Environmental Medicine

Background:

• Manganese (Mn) exposure is a concern in occupational settings, particularly in industries like ferroalloy production.
• Early detection of neurological impairment due to manganese exposure is crucial for worker health.
• Understanding the relationship between manganese body burden and specific neurological functions is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate early neurological impairment in male workers exposed to manganese oxides.
• To assess the correlation between manganese levels in blood and urine and neurological function.
• To explore the impact of manganese exposure on psychomotor function, olfactory perception, and immunological markers.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 35 male ferroalloy plant workers exposed to manganese oxides and a control group.
• Measurement of airborne manganese concentrations, blood manganese (MnB), and urine manganese (MnU).
• Assessment of psychomotor function, olfactory threshold, and white blood cell count.

Main Results:

• Mn-exposed workers exhibited significantly higher MnB and MnU compared to controls.
• A positive correlation was found between MnB and a cumulative exposure index (r=0.52).
• Lower psychomotor function scores and a negative correlation between Aiming score and MnB were observed in exposed subjects. Increased MnU was associated with olfactory perception, and elevated white blood cell counts suggested immunological interference.

Conclusions:

• Increased manganese body burden is associated with impaired motor functions in occupationally exposed workers.
• Elevated urinary manganese levels may be related to altered olfactory perception.
• Manganese exposure may impact the immunological system, as indicated by changes in leukocyte counts.