Occupational Exposure to Inhalable Manganese at German Workplaces

Abstract

Due to mounting evidence of neurotoxic effects of manganese (Mn) already at low concentrations, occupational exposure limits (OELs) have been adopted. We analyzed 5771 personal measurements of inhalable manganese (Mn) together with information on sampling conditions and job tasks from the German exposure database Messdaten zur Exposition gegenüber Gefahrstoffen am Arbeitsplatz (MEGA) to assess exposure levels in welders and other occupations between 1989 and 2015. Geometric means (GMs) of exposure to Mn were estimated for various occupational settings adjusted for 2-h sampling duration and analytical method, centered at 2009. Measurements below the limit of quantification (LOQ) were multiply imputed. The median concentration was 74 µg m⁻³ (inter-quartile range 14–260 µg m⁻³) in welders and 8 µg m⁻³ (inter-quartile range <LOQ–31 µg m⁻³) in other occupations. Every third measurement was higher than 100 µg m⁻³, 20% exceeded 200 µg m⁻³, and 5% of welders inhaled concentrations ≥1000 µg m⁻³. GMs >100 µg m⁻³ were observed in gas metal and flux-cored arc welders and in shielded metal arc welders using consumables of high Mn content (>5%). Tungsten inert gas welding, laser welding and working in other occupations such as foundry worker, electroplater, or grinder were associated with GMs <10 µg m⁻³. A shorter sampling duration was associated with higher Mn concentrations. High-emission welding techniques require protective measures to cope with adopted OELs. Results of this study are useful to assess cumulative Mn exposure in community-based studies on neurotoxic effects.