ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a detailed discussion on the occurrence and production, uses, chemical and physical properties, exposure and exposure limits, toxicokinetics, and effects of manganese in humans. Manganese is found in many, widely scattered minerals. It is about 0.1" of the earth's crust. Major commercial ores are pyrolusite, manganite, hausmannite, rhodochrosite and psilomelane. The crude metal is produced by aluminum reduction of ore. Purer products are produced by electrolysis of manganese sulfate. Other products include ferromanganese, spiegeleisen, silicomanganese, and manganese dioxide. The major use of manganese is in iron alloys. It is also used in nonferrous alloys (such as manganese bronze), in dry cells, and in various chemicals, especially potassium permanganate and other oxidizers. The effects of manganese in humans include information on acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, biochemistry, specific organs and systems, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity.
