Title: Effect of chronic low level manganese exposure on postural balance: a pilot study of residents in southern Ohio.

Authors: Standridge, J Shawn; Bhattacharya, Amit; Succop, Paul; Cox, Cyndy; Haynes, Erin

Published In J Occup Environ Med, (2008 Dec)

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of non-occupational exposure to manganese (Mn) on postural balance.Residents living near a ferromanganese refinery provided hair and blood samples after postural balance testing. The relationship between hair Mn and postural balance was analyzed with logistic regression. Following covariate adjustment, postural balance was compared with control data by analysis of covariance.Mean hair Mn was 4.4 microg/g. A significantly positive association was found between hair Mn and sway area (eyes open on the platform, P = 0.05; eyes closed on the platform, P = 0.04) and sway length (eyes open on the platform, P = 0.05; eyes closed on the platform, P = 0.04). Postural balance of residents was significantly larger than controls in 5 out of 8 postural balance outcomes.Preliminary findings suggest subclinical impairment in postural balance among residents chronically exposed to ambient Mn. A prospective study with a larger sample size is warranted.

PubMed ID: 19092498

MeSH Terms: Adult; Aged; Air Pollutants/adverse effects*; Air Pollution/adverse effects*; Air Pollution/analysis; Chemical Industry; Cross-Sectional Studies; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*; Environmental Exposure/analysis; Female; Hair/chemistry; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Manganese/adverse effects*; Manganese/analysis; Middle Aged; Ohio; Pilot Projects; Postural Balance/drug effects; Postural Balance/physiology*; Young Adult