WELDING ROD FUMES LAWSUIT

Can the Manganese in the Welding Rods Cause Manganism or Parkinson's Disease ?

Manganism is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system. The symptoms of manganism are similar to Parkinson's Disease, and may include  tremors, shakes, weakness, slow and clumsy movements, difficulty breathing, loss of coordination and slurred speech.

Manganism is caused by exposure to high levels of manganese. Manganese is a naturally occurring substance found in many types of rock. Pure manganese is a silver-colored metal, somewhat like iron in its physical and chemical properties. Manganese does not occur in the environment as the pure metal. Rather, it occurs combined with other chemicals such as oxygen, sulfur, and chlorine. These compounds are solids that do not evaporate. However, small dust particles of the solid material can become suspended in air. Some manganese compounds can dissolve in water, and low levels of these compounds are normally present in lakes, streams, and the ocean. Manganese can change from one compound to another (either by natural processes or by man's activities), but it does not break down or disappear in the environment.  Welding rods consists of metal coated with or containing manganese, zinc, cadmium, chromium, copper, fluoride, lead, or vanadium, because the resulting fumes can cause a condition commonly  known as metal-fume fever. This condition may in fact be more serious than the name metal fume fever or welders sickness or welders disease, it may be early stages of Parkinson's Disease or Manganism.

MANGANESE- WHERE DOES IT COME FROM ?

Rocks containing high levels of manganese compounds are mined and used to produce manganese metal. This manganese metal is mixed with iron to make various types of steel. Some manganese compounds are used in the production of batteries, as an ingredient in some ceramics, pesticides, and fertilizers, and in dietary supplements.
Miners, welders, pesticides workers and fertilizer workers, making certain types of batteries,  ceramic workers, and workers in  steel production are at risk for manganism.

MANGANESE - WELDING FUMES

Too much manganese, however, can cause serious illness. Although there are some differences between different kinds of manganese, most manganese compounds seem to cause the same effects. Manganese miners or steel workers exposed to high levels of manganese dust in air may have mental and emotional disturbances, and their body movements may become slow and clumsy. This combination of symptoms is a disease called manganism. Workers usually do not develop symptoms of manganism unless they have been exposed for many months or years. Manganism occurs because too much manganese injures a part of the brain that helps control body movements. Some of the symptoms of manganism can be reduced by medical treatment, but the brain injury is permanent. There are reports that patients have developed symptoms several years after exposure to manganese had ceased. Manganism is a permanently disabling disease for which there is no cure.

MANGANISM - PRIMARY SYMPTOMS - WELDING ROD FUMES

 Tremors or Shakes     
 Slowed movement
 Decreased hand agility
 Depression
 Difficulty walking
 Distorted facial    expression
 Increased irritability
 Joint pain
 Loss of equilibrium (balance)
 Loss of short term memory  Sinus problems
 Slowed movement
 Slurred speech or slow speech
 Stiffness in arm and leg muscles
 Sudden and/or severe mood changes
 Tremors