Define Briefly about the Manganese Toxicity?
Manganese is considered least toxic of the trace minerals through oral intake. However, some people may be at a risk to develop toxicity. For example, individuals with impaired biliary and/or hepatic dysfunction are more susceptible, as dietary Mil is cleared by the liver. Similarly, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) bypasses the normal homeostatic mechanisms of the liver and gut. Therefore, patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition are also at a risk.
Manganese toxicity, however, occurs primarily in industrial workers exposed to excess airborne Mn such as in case of industries manufacturing steel, alloys and iron products. Airborne Mn is also contributed by the Mn containing antiknock compounds in gasoline fuel. Majority of Mn toxicity cases have been reported from individuals exposed to airborne Mn in industrial areas in excess of 5 mg per cubic meter (m3). Mn toxicity is a serious health hazard; in its severe form it results in serious psychiatric symptoms such as hyperirritability, violent acts, hallucinations and poor coordination. Several abnormalities occur in the central nervous system, the morphological lesions being similar to Parkinson's disease. In workers exposed to less than 1 mg/m3, impaired motor coordination and impaired memory have been reported. The symptoms of Mn toxicity are apparently due to excessive tissue oxidative damage by Mn.