The relationship between manganism and the workplace environment in China.
Manganese is a trace element and a cofactor of many enzymes, so it is essential for physiologic functioning, but it is also a neurotoxin at high doses. Manganism is most often caused by occupational exposure. It is manifested by a myriad of signs and symptoms ranging from the neurasthenia syndrome, such as headache and dizziness, to the Parkinson-like syndrome, depending on the blood manganese levels as well as the duration of exposure. We are reporting a case of manganism using both clinical and occupational hygiene investigation methods. The patient presented the neurasthenia syndrome accompanied by hypertonicity of arm muscles and was diagnosed to have mild chronic manganism. Finally, the patient was discharged from the hospital after the treatment had improved her condition. In China, there are many chronic manganese cases, partly due to a rapid industrial development with great use of Mn and the low self-protection awareness among the workers and the factories management that cannot catch up with the speed of the economical development. Therefore, factories are responsible for improving the conditions at the workplace.
Chongqing Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
Yongyi
Y
Wang
Jian
J
Xue
Shuqun
S
Cheng
Yubin
Y
Ding
Junlin
J
He
Xueqing
X
Liu
Xuemei
X
Chen
Yingxiong
Y
Wang
Xiangyu
X
Feng
Yinyin
Y
Xia
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020149:Manganese Poisoning / Q000150:complications*; D009122:Muscle Hypertonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D009440:Neurasthenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014896:Welding
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational