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Manganese concentrations in soil and settled dust in an area with historic ferroalloy production

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 25, pages 443–450 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Ferroalloy production can release a number of metals into the environment, of which manganese (Mn) is of major concern. Other elements include lead, iron, zinc, copper, chromium, and cadmium. Mn exposure derived from settled dust and suspended aerosols can cause a variety of adverse neurological effects to chronically exposed individuals. To better estimate the current levels of exposure, this study quantified the metal levels in dust collected inside homes (n=85), outside homes (n=81), in attics (n=6), and in surface soil (n=252) in an area with historic ferroalloy production. Metals contained in indoor and outdoor dust samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, whereas attic and soil measurements were made with a X-ray fluorescence instrument. Mean Mn concentrations in soil (4600 μg/g) and indoor dust (870 μg/g) collected within 0.5 km of a plant exceeded levels previously found in suburban and urban areas, but did decrease outside 1.0 km to the upper end of background concentrations. Mn concentrations in attic dust were ~120 times larger than other indoor dust levels, consistent with historical emissions that yielded high airborne concentrations in the region. Considering the potential health effects that are associated with chronic Mn inhalation and ingestion exposure, remediation of soil near the plants and frequent, on-going hygiene indoors may decrease residential exposure and the likelihood of adverse health effects.

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Acknowledgements

This study was originally supported by funding from the European Union through its Sixth Framework Program for RTD (contract no. FOOD-CT-2006- 016253). It reflects only the authors' views, and the European Commission is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. The project is now supported by Award Number R01ES019222 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. BTP was supported as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow through the National Institutes of Health Training Grant 1T32ES019854-01 and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences CEED—2P30ES005022-21780309. We would like to acknowledge Tom Jursa for analytical assistance and Linda Everett for her help with GIS mapping.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA

    Brian T Pavilonis, Paul J Lioy, Panos G Georgopoulos, Zhongyuan Mi & Steven G Royce

  2. Public Health Service, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Stefano Guazzetti

  3. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA

    Benjamin C Bostick

  4. Institute of Occupational Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Filippo Donna, Marco Peli & Roberto G Lucchini

  5. School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA,

    Neil J Zimmerman

  6. Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

    Patrick Bertrand, Erika Lucas, Donald R Smith & Roberto G Lucchini

  7. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA

    Roberto G Lucchini

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  1. Brian T Pavilonis
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Correspondence to Brian T Pavilonis.

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Pavilonis, B., Lioy, P., Guazzetti, S. et al. Manganese concentrations in soil and settled dust in an area with historic ferroalloy production. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 25, 443–450 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2014.70

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2014.70

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