Serum Manganese, Serum Iron and Ferritin Concentrations among Welders of Shipyard of Arab Contractors in Ismailia City

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

Background: Cutting and welding metal pieces in industry increase chances for welders to be exposed to manganese emitted in welding fumes. There is raising concern about the potential neurotoxic effects of manganese inhalation in welders. Interactions between manganese and iron occur and impact the toxicokinetics of iron with subsequent alteration in blood levels of iron and iron regulating proteins. Aim: To assess the burden of manganese exposure on serum level of manganese and on iron metabolism for early detection of manganese toxicity among welders. Methods: The study was carried out in the shipyard of Arab contractors in Ismailia on 30 welders and 30 office workers. Blood samples were collected for measuring serum concentration of manganese, iron and ferritin in all subjects. Results: Mean ± SD of serum manganese in welders and control group were 1.4 ± 1.3 μg/dl and 0.7 ± 0.6 μg/dl respectively, while mean ± SD of serum iron in welders and control were 69.5 ng/dl ± 17.5 and 77.8 ± 22.6 ng/dl respectively (P= 0.118). Serum ferritin was significantly higher among control than among welders (P = 0.000). Both serum iron and serum ferritin showed significant negative correlation with serum manganese. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum manganese significantly predicted serum ferritin. Conclusion: Exposure to welding fumes among welders disturbs serum homeostasis of manganese, iron, and the proteins associated with iron metabolism. Serum manganese may serve as a reasonable biomarker for assessment of recent exposure to airborne manganese.

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