Some Health Hazards of Manganese Exposure Among Egyptian Workers

Khadiga Salah Ibrahim1, Mohamed Samir El-Attar2, Hossam El-Din El-Anwar Amin2, Anan Moustafa El-Mishad1, and Heba Mahdy Abd-Alla1

1 Department of Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
2 Department of Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health,. Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Corresponding author: Dr. Khadiga Salah Ibrahim
    Mailing address: Department of Industrial Medicine and Occupational
    Health National Research Center
    Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
    Fax number: 2023370931 - 2023601877
    E-mail adress: khadigasalah@yahoo.com

CEJOEM 2001, Vol.7. Nos.3-4.:228-236


Key words:
Manganese, occupational exposure, health hazards, pulmonary function, immunoglobulins

Abbreviations:
FEV1 = Forced Expiratory Volume in one second
FVC = Forced Vital Capacity
VC = Vital Capacity


Abstract:
Health hazards to maganese exposure were examined in 69 male workers employed in iron and steel industry (mean duration of exposure 18.42 ± 6.6 yr) and in 31 healthy workers as a control group. Both groups underwent full clinical examination. Blood analysis comprising haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, red and white blood cell counts, differential leukocyte cell count, determination of Mn concentration in blood, determination of IgG, IgM, and pulmonary ventilatory function tests were performed.
    In the exposed group, blood cell counts and Hb levels showed statistically significant reduction as compared to the control group, while serum immunoglobulin levels showed statistically significant elevation. There was no correlation between the blood Mn concentration and any of the parameters mentioned above. The values of the pulmonary ventilatory function tests (FEV1, FVC/VC%, FEV1/FVC%) were significantly reduced in the exposed workers.


Received:  17 September 2001
Accepted:  6 December 2001

| Back |