
A new study in North America has shown that children exposed to high concentrations of manganese in drinking water performed worse on tests of intellectual functioning than children with lower exposures.
This metal is naturally occurring in soil and in certain conditions is present in groundwater.
Advertisement
In several regions of Quebec and Canada and in other parts of the world, the groundwater contains naturally high levels of manganese.
This is the first study to focus on the potential risks of exposure to manganese in drinking water in North America.
The study, carried out by researchers at the Universite du Quibec a Montreal, the Universiti de Montrial and the Ecole Polytechnique de Montrial, examined 362 Quebec children, between the ages of 6 and 13, living in homes supplied by with groundwater (individual or public wells).
For each child, the researchers measured the concentration of manganese in tap water from their home, as well as iron, copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, magnesium and calcium.
The amount of manganese from both tap water and food was estimated from a questionnaire. Finally, each child was assessed with a battery of tests assessing cognition, motor skills, and behaviour.
Lead author Maryse Bouchard explained: "We found significant deficits in the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children exposed to higher concentration of manganese in drinking water. Yet, manganese concentrations were well below current guidelines."
The average IQ of children whose tap water was in the upper 20% of manganese concentration was 6 points below children whose water contained little or no manganese.
Their results are published in the prestigious scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives, in an article entitled 'Intellectual Impairment in School-Age Children Exposed to Manganese from Drinking Water'.
Source: ANI
The study, carried out by researchers at the Universite du Quibec a Montreal, the Universiti de Montrial and the Ecole Polytechnique de Montrial, examined 362 Quebec children, between the ages of 6 and 13, living in homes supplied by with groundwater (individual or public wells).
Advertisement
For each child, the researchers measured the concentration of manganese in tap water from their home, as well as iron, copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, magnesium and calcium.
The amount of manganese from both tap water and food was estimated from a questionnaire. Finally, each child was assessed with a battery of tests assessing cognition, motor skills, and behaviour.
Lead author Maryse Bouchard explained: "We found significant deficits in the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children exposed to higher concentration of manganese in drinking water. Yet, manganese concentrations were well below current guidelines."
The average IQ of children whose tap water was in the upper 20% of manganese concentration was 6 points below children whose water contained little or no manganese.
Their results are published in the prestigious scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives, in an article entitled 'Intellectual Impairment in School-Age Children Exposed to Manganese from Drinking Water'.
Source: ANI
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Child Health News

Doctors have reported that children have been hit hard by the recent increase in flu cases, with the H3N2 virus being a significant contributing factor.

Men and women are impacted uniquely by childhood trauma: emotional trauma and sexual abuse impact women, while emotional and physical neglect impact men.

Bedsharing with infants is linked to increased duration of breastfeeding, according to the night-time feeding guidelines.

To tackle the rising cases of autism among kids, steady screening programs may make a difference in autism diagnosis and treatment.

Children with autism tend to receive vision screening less often, despite having a high risk for eye problems.