Manganese in Water Solutions
We’ve been getting an elevated number of calls about Manganese recently, so thought we’d post this. There are a few ways to remove it from your water. We have written an article about this which was published in the March, 2015 issue of Water Technology Magazine and can be seen at Manganese, The Good for You, Bad for You Mineral. The following contains some excerpts:
What is Manganese and Where Does it Come From?
It is a mineral that, in very small amounts, is essential for proper functioning of the human body. It is a trace mineral that is present in the human body in very small amounts primarily in the bones, liver, kidneys and pancreas. It is important in connective tissues, in the formation of bones and blood-clotting factors. It is also involved in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation. The mineral is also important for brain and nerve function.
Toxicity Potential
Manganese at very high levels can pose a neuro-toxic risk. Exposure to high concentrations of manganese over the course of years has been associated with toxicity to the nervous system, producing a syndrome that resembles Parkinson’s. This type of effect may be more likely to occur in the elderly.
High Efficiency Water Softener
Higher risks for Children
Children are considered to be particularly susceptible to possible effects of high levels of manganese exposure because they absorb more and excrete less manganese than adults. This adds up to a greater potential for exposure in the very young. Since manganese’s effects on the developing nervous system have not been adequately studied, it is especially prudent for pregnant women and young children to have drinking water that is below the allowable level.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease reports several studies that showed decreased ability in neuro-behavioral performance testing and in several educational parameters in children exposed to high levels in drinking water and diet for at least several years.
