Manganism (AKA welder’s-disease) is another name for a collection of symptoms that result from excessive manganese exposure. Manganism has also been called "Parkinson's syndrome" because its symptoms closely resemble those of Parkinson's disease, a devastating and fatal neurological illness. Manganism is also called welder's-disease because of
high incidence in welders and those exposed to fumes from welding rods. Incredibly, health effects of welding and associated manganese exposure have been known for more than 150 years. In 1837, scientists described manganism as a syndrome similar to Parkinson's disease. These first cases of manganism, welder's-disease, appeared in Scottish workers exposed to high levels of dust while grinding "black oxide of manganese" in a chemical plant. Since then, manganism, welder's-disease, has been described in several groups of highly exposed miners and other workers. (Iregren, 1999)
In 1993, National Institute of Health (NIH) issued a report about manganism, welder's-disease, manganese poisoning. According to NIH, "Occupational exposure to manganese for periods from 6 months to 2 years can result in manganism, a disease of central nervous system characterized by psychogenic and neurological disorders with symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease." The NIH report also noted that prolonged manganese exposure had been connected to reduced white blood cell counts, sexual dysfunction and impotence.
To understand welder’s-disease (also known as manganism), it helps to understand manganese toxicity. Manganese is one of most commonly used metals in manufacturing. Although used in several industrial applications, manganese does not occur naturally, but is actually a component of more than 100 minerals, including sulfides, oxides, carbonates, silicates, phosphates and borates. In small amounts, manganese is a necessary element for maintaining good health, including proper development of growing children. In excessive amounts, however, manganese becomes toxic. Women who are pregnant, or who think they might be pregnant, should avoid manganese exposure at work place (Gerber, et al 2002).
In human body, manganese is concentrated mainly in liver, skeleton, pancreas and brain. Small amounts of manganese are beneficial for human health, and have been shown to have potentially beneficial effects for patients with epilepsy. Manganese has also shown promise in alleviating menstrual symptoms and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, too much manganese exposure is harmful. Exposure in levels experienced by welders and nearby workers is unhealthy and dangerous.
