Manganese: general information
Updated 4 December 2024
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Manganese: general information
Updated 2010
Overview
Manganese is a silver-grey metal which occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. It is found in water, soil and rocks combined with sulphur, oxygen and chlorine.
Uses of manganese
Manganese is mainly used in the manufacture of iron and steel by improving the strength, hardness and stiffness. It is also used in products such as fireworks, paint, cosmetics and dry-cell batteries and can be added to gasoline to improve performance and manganese compounds are used in ceramics, fertilisers, disinfectants and preservatives.
How manganese gets into the environment
Manganese is normally present in air, soil water and food, but more may be released into the environment from the manufacture, use and disposal of products containing manganese.
Exposure to manganese
The general public may be exposed to low levels of manganese due to its natural presence in the environment and such levels are needed for good health. The main way people are exposed to manganese is from eating food or drinking water. Nuts, grains, beans and tea are rich in manganese hence vegetarians and tea drinkers may have a higher intake than the average person but such levels are unlikely to cause adverse health effects. People working in steel factories or welders may be exposed to higher levels of manganese.
How exposure to manganese could affect your health
The presence of Manganese in the environment does not always lead to exposure. Clearly, in order for it to cause any adverse health effects you must come into contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.
Breathing high levels of manganese can cause irritation and metal fume fever. Symptoms include cough, sore throat, tightening of the chest, headache and fever. Sometimes a metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting and blurred vision can occur. Eating food or drink contaminated with large amounts of manganese can cause stomach irritation.
Manganese and cancer
There are no data on whether manganese causes cancer in humans.
Pregnancy and the unborn child
Extremely high manganese exposure in children may affect brain development. However, it is not known whether children are more sensitive than adults. Exposure to manganese during pregnancy is not likely to cause damage to the unborn child at doses where the mother appears unaffected.
What to do if you are exposed to manganese
You should remove yourself from the source of exposure.
If you have got manganese on your skin, remove soiled clothing, wash the affected area with lukewarm water and soap for at least 10 to 15 minutes and seek medical advice.
If you have got manganese in your eyes remove contact lenses if necessary, wash the affected area with lukewarm water for at least 10 to 15 minutes and seek medical advice.
If you have inhaled or ingested manganese seek medical advice.
Email [email protected] if you have any questions about this guidance or [email protected] if you have any other questions.
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