The health implications of increased manganese in the environment resulting from the combustion of fuel additives: a review of the literature.

Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is effective in raising the octane level of gasoline and is currently used in Canada for that purpose in a maximal concentration of 18 mg Mn/l (slightly less than 0.07 g Mn/U.S. gal). It has been estimated that if MMT were used in all U.S. gasoline in these amounts, the median increase of Mn in ambient air would be not more than 0.05 microgram Mn/m3, with increments generally less than 0.5 microgram Mn/m3 along urban corridors. The scientific literature was reviewed to determine how the increases in environmental manganese predicted from MMT use would relate to the amounts in the natural environment and necessary to life and to the concentrations associated with toxic effects. Even with additional manganese from the use of fuel additives, total Mn intakes would remain within the range of average amounts absorbed from food and water. Respirable manganese in ambient air due to MMT combustion would be many order of magnitude below the concentrations associated with occupational manganism and respiratory problems and also below those reported in isolated episodes of respiratory symptoms in communities near ferromanganese plants. Evidence was reviewed on the possibilities of: (1) increased absorption of inhaled manganese compared with ingested manganese; (2) hypersusceptibility of infants and persons of advanced age; and (3) increased absorption associated with iron deficiency. While relevant to high levels of exposure, these factors would not be expected to lead to toxic effects from the very low concentrations of Mn resulting from MMT use. Experimental animals that inhaled the combustion products of MMT in concentrations of approximately 10, 100, and 1000 micrograms Mn/m3 for 9 mo did not show toxic effects, although there was temporary elevation of tissue levels of Mn. Rhesus monkeys, susceptible to the neurologic effects of Mn, showed no symptoms after inhaling the combustion products of MMT in concentrations of 100 micrograms Mn/m3 for up to 66 wk. Monkeys exposed to 5000 microgram Mn/m3 also showed no symptoms. There is thus a wide margin of safety between the intakes of Mn essential to health and the high concentrations that have been associated with toxic effects. The small amounts of manganese added to the environment by the combustion of MMT used as a fuel additive would be comparable to the normal background and should not create health problems.