Evaluation of neurobehavioral symptoms in welders exposed to welding respirable particles containing manganese

Exposure to manganese fume in the welding process leads to adverse neurological effects on the health of welders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between biomarkers of manganese exposure and compare the frequency of these symptoms with unexposed group.

35 welders as exposed group, and 40 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 7301 method. The concentration of manganese in blood of the welders was also measured by ICP-OES. Statistical analysis was performed by using MINITAB 17 software at the significant level of 0.05.

The mean exposure to air manganese was 0.45 ± 0.08 mg/m3. Manganese concentrations in blood samples of welders (0.16±0.0 2 µg.ml-1) were significantly higher than unexposed workers (0.04±0.002µg.ml-1). Also the frequency of neurobehavioral symptoms of welders was significantly higher compared to unexposed workers (P <0.05). The correlation between neurobehavioral symptoms and blood manganese was significant for welders (P <0.05, r=0.4). As a result, by increasing the concentration of blood manganese levels, the neurobehavioral symptoms were also increased.

Due to the high level of exposure to manganese in welding fume for welders and in order to prevent neurobehavioral symptoms preventive measures such as engineering and management control techniques are recommended to reduce exposure.