Cognitive control dysfunction in workers exposed to manganese-containing welding fume

Document Type

Article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic exposure to manganese (Mn) is a health concern in occupations such as welding because of well-established motor effects due to basal ganglia dysfunction. We hypothesized that cognitive control (the ability to monitor, manipulate, and regulate ongoing cognitive demands) would also be affected by chronic Mn exposure. METHODS: We examined the relationship between Mn exposure and cognitive control performance in 95 workers with varying intensity and duration (median 15.5 years) of exposure to welding fume. We performed linear regression to assess the association between exposure to Mn-containing welding fume and cognitive control tasks. RESULTS: Overall performance was inversely related to intensity of welding exposure (P = 0.009) and was driven by the Two-Back and Letter Number Sequencing tests that assess working memory (both P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to Mn-containing welding fume may be associated with poorer working memory performance, and workers may benefit from practices that reduce exposure intensity. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:181-188, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Medical Subject Headings

Adult; Aged; Air Pollutants, Occupational (adverse effects); Female; Humans; Inhalation Exposure (adverse effects); Male; Manganese (adverse effects); Memory, Short-Term; Middle Aged; Midwestern United States; Neuropsychological Tests; Occupational Diseases (chemically induced); Occupational Exposure (adverse effects); Welding; Young Adult

Publication Date

2-1-2017

Publication Title

American journal of industrial medicine

E-ISSN

1097-0274

Volume

60

Issue

2

First Page

181

Last Page

188

PubMed ID

27862095

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1002/ajim.22675

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