MANGANESE IN WELL WATER. EXPOSURE IN THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS OF QUEBEC (Canada)

Smargiassi Audrey*, Bryan Robyn, Mergler Donna, Baldwin Mary

(CINBIOSE, University of Quebec in Montreal, C.P. 8888, succ. Centre Ville,

Montreal, Quebec H3C 3P8), Zayed Joseph (Department of Hygiene and Occupational

Health, University of Montreal, Quebec)

Occupational exposure to high levels of manganese via inhalation is associated

with a neurological disorder, manganism, first described by Couper in 1837 as a

Parkinson-like syndrome. A few studies have examined overexposure through

drinking water but the results are inconsistent. A case was recently brought to

our attention. A 47-year-old women from the Eastern Townships of Quebec (Canada),

otherwise apparently in good health, developed symptoms strikingly similar to

those of manganese intoxication, including sleep disturbances, violent mood

swings, auditory and visual hallucinations, hand tremor with unrecognizable

handwriting, teeth grinding and difficulty unclenching the jaws. Whole blood

manganese was measured and was in the upper part of the normal range

(14.52 ug/L). Well water analysis revealed manganese levels of 0.42 mg/L,

compared to the Canadian Aesthetic Objective of 0.05 mg/L. Following cessation

of drinking water from this well, her symptoms regressed. Other wells in the

vicinity showed Mn levels ranging from 0.15-0.62 mg/L. A study is now under way

to characterize manganese exposure through well water in this region. This case

raises the possibility that even with low gastrointestinal absorption,

in certain circumstances, manganese toxicity may develop following the ingestion

of high levels of manganese in water.