Bone manganese as a biomarker of manganese exposure: A feasibility study

BACKGROUND: There is a need for a diagnostic tool with the ability to measure cumulative exposure to manganese (Mn) in the workplace. Measuring bone Mn levels with in vivo neutron activation analysis (IVNAA) could serve as a biomarker of past exposure. Bone Mn levels of welders were measured and compared to the levels found in subjects without exposure to the element. METHOD: Forty subjects (30 welders and 10 controls) were recruited. An …