Journal of Health and Safety at Work

Introduction: Occupational exposure to manganese can cause neurobehavioral symptoms. The aim of present study was to survey neurobehavioral symptoms of welders exposed to manganese- containing welding fumes and compare the frequency of these symptoms with unexposed group.

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Material and Method: Twenty seven of welders as exposed group, and 30 administrative workers as unexposed controls, were participated in this study. Neurobehavioral symptoms data were gathered using Q16 questionnaire. Manganese concentrations were determined according to the NIOSH 7300 method. After preparing of blood samples using microwave assisted acid digestion method, all samples were analyzed to determine manganese by graphite furnace- atomic absorption spectroscopy (GF-AAS).

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Result: The mean exposure to air manganese was 0.023± 0.012 mg/m3. Manganese concentrations in blood samples of welders (15.88± 7.11 µg/l) were significantly higher than unexposed workers (9.37± 8.70 µg/l), (P-V<0.05). The frequency of neurobehavioral symptoms of welders was significantly higher compared to unexposed workers (P-V<0.05). The correlation between neurobehavioral symptoms and blood manganese was significant for welders (P-V<0.05).

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Conclusion: Welders’ exposure to manganese and its potential health effects should be evaluated periodically and effective control measures should be applied in order to to prevent neurobehavioral symptoms.