MANGANISM & WELDING FUMES: WELDING FUMES INDUCE PARKINSONISM SYMPTOMS
A Madison County, Illinois jury recently awarded $1 million dollars to a 65 year old former welder named Larry Elam who claimed his exposure to manganese in welding fumes caused him to develop a central nervous system disorder that affects movement and coordination. Although the medical profession had known since the 1830’s that exposure to toxic levels of manganese is a health hazard this case was the first major legal victory for welders who have been battling rod makers and employers for decades over the issue of welding fume induced illnesses.
The process of welding causes the release of concentrated particulate fumes and gases which contain a number of elements including fluorine (F), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn). Many of these gases, including manganese, cause known health hazards when ingested by humans. Furthermore, these potentially dangerous gases may be odorless and invisible to the naked eye.
Manganism is an irreversible parkinsonian-like syndrome, first described by J. Couper in 1837. Manganism also called Manganese induced Parkinson's, is characterized by fixed gaze, bradykinesia, postural difficulties, rigidity, tremor, dystonia and decreased metal status. Additional symptoms of this disease include tremors, shakes, loss of balance, slowed movement, walking problems, impotence, slurred speech, extreme drowsiness and nighttime leg cramps. For years, welders have been misdiagnosed as suffering from Parkinson’s disease (Lou Gehrig’s disease) or MS (Multiple Sclerosis) because the similarities between the symptoms.
While the welding industry vehemently denies any cover-up involving the health risks from welding fumes and categorically denies any causal relationship between exposure to manganese and Parkinsonism, the overwhelming evidence points the contrary.
