Atomic Number:	25
Atomic Symbol:	Mn
Atomic Weight:	54.9380
Electron Configuration:	[Ar]4s23d5

TITLE:	Manganese (Mn)
SYNONYMS/FORMS	None
GENERAL INFORMATION	10 mg of Mn is found in the body, with high concentrations in the bones, pancreas, and with the highest level in the liver. The estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake 2-5 mg (1), however, Mn supplements up to 20 mg have been administered without adverse effects. Cationic Mn compounds are more toxic than anionic and Mn2+is more toxic than Mn3+ (2)Inorganic manganese exists in the oxidation states Mn2+, Mn3+, and Mn4+ under physiological conditions. Organic manganese usually in the forms such as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is used as a gasoline additive (3).Manganese passes into the blood stream and then rapidly to the tissues, particularly the liver. The biological half-life is ~30 hours with its removal from the body from 6 -10 days. Body retention can last longer from 13 -37 days (US HHS). The main route for excretion is through the bile to the feces with little in the urine.In iron deficient diets more manganese is absorbed, but excess manganese interferes with the absorption of dietary iron (4).
SOURCES	People who are most likely to become subjected to Mn toxicity are those who work in jobs that produce high levels of Mn fumes. These workers include, welders, miners, railroad workers, steel workers, and workers that handle pesticides. High levels of manganese is also found in foods such as, beets, pineapple, nuts, beans, whole grains and cereals. Other sources of Mn include wood preservation, fertilizer, and some waters.
EXPOSURE Short-term	WHO guidance value of manganese is 0.15 µg manganese/m3 in air exposure. Daily manganese intake from food is estimated to be about 2-9 mg for adults, with an absorbed amount of about 100-450 µg/day based upon 5% gastrointestinal absorption (5). Respiratory irritant: "Metal fume fever" can develop with exposure to heated manganese fumes, resulting in symptoms including chills, fever and aching, lasting up to 24 hours. Manganese "pneumonia" - shortness of breath, congestion in the chest and coughing - does not respond to antibiotics. (6)
Long-term	People who work with manganese on a daily basis are at the highest risk of manganese poisoning. Long-term overexposure to manganese can lead to a disease known as manganism with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease by possibly Mn accumulating in the basal ganglia
TOXICITY Signs/Symptoms	Weak appetite, hallucinations, short-term memory failure, periods of confusion/disorientation; possibly long term memory failureChronic overexposure side effects include tremors, weakness/lethargy, speech difficulties, psychological problems and respiratory difficulties due to gradual brain damage.
MONITORING Adult Testing	Elemental manganese measurements can be taken from blood, urine, stools, and scalp hair, but they cannot determine how manganese will affect your health. (2)Whole blood: 78 - 289 nmol/L (4.3-15.9 mg/L)RBC: 273-728 nmol/L (15-40 mg/L) [Recommended specimen]Plasma: 5.5-18.2 nmol/L (0.3-1.0 mg/L) [Avoid hemolysis]Note: Urine is not recommended for monitoring Mn exposure.Urine (random): 1.3-9.1 nmol/L (0.07-0.50 mg/L)Urine (24 h): 1.8-14.6 nmol/day (0.1-0.8 mg/L)Urine (/mol Cr): 0.17 - 1.2 mmol/mol creatinine)Hair: 1.5 - 9.1 nmol/g (0.08-0.5 mg/g)
Pediatric Testing	To be determined
TREATMENT OPTIONS	No cures. Studies have successfully used calcium EDTA for the treatment of acute manganese poisoning (2)Treatment of chronic manganese toxicity involves removal of the patient from the high manganese environment, as well as lifelong doses of the drug L-dopa. (7)Parkinson's-like symptoms have been treated with some success with anti-Parkinson drugs such as Levadopa
Precautions	Chelation - Mn is not as easily managed as lead or mercury poisoning, as it has less of an affinity for the chelator compounds
REFERENCES	http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C686313.html http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session 2/group29/mangtox.htm http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/ nutsupdrugs/man_0171.shtml http://www.tldp.com/issue/180/Clinical%20Effects%20of% 20Mn.html http://www.inchem.org/documents/cicads/cicads/cicad12 http://home.earthlink.net/~clearh2orev/toxmanganese.html http://www.chclibrary.org/micromed/00056760.html

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Sample Requirements (click on cell)

Whole Blood

Erythrocytes

Plasma/Serum

Urine

Hair

Reference range

Analyte Manganese
Plasma	Whole Blood	Erythrocytes	Random Urine	24 Hour Urine
5.5 - 18.2 nmol/L	78 - 289 nmol/L	273-728nmol/L	1.3-9.1nmol/L 0.17 - 1.20 umol/mol creatinine	1.8-14.6nmol/d

 

Method of Analysis:  High Resolution ICP/MS

Test available:  Monday - Friday 0800 - 1600 h
Turnaround Time:  Average 5-10 days
Maximum 10 days

March 27, 2008