Can the Manganese in the Welding Rods Cause Manganism or Parkinsons Disease ?
Manganism is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system. The symptoms of manganism are similar to Parkinson’s Disease, and may include tremors, shakes, weakness, slow and clumsy movements, difficulty breathing, loss of coordination and slurred speech. Manganism is caused by exposure to high levels of manganese. Manganese is a naturally occurring substance found in many types of rock. Pure manganese is a silver-colored metal, somewhat like iron in its physical and chemical properties. Manganese does not occur in the environment as the pure metal. Rather, it occurs combined with other chemicals such as oxygen, sulfur, and chlorine. These compounds are solids that do not evaporate. However, small dust particles of the solid material can become suspended in air. Some manganese compounds can dissolve in water, and low levels of these compounds are normally present in lakes, streams, and the ocean. Manganese can change from one compound to another (either by natural processes or by man
