effects of manganese exposure on blood iron indices in miners of iran manganese mines co. (qom)

Background: in present study, chronic exposure to manganese (mn) and its effect on blood iron (fe) indices in miners of iran manganese mines-qom have been investigated. methods: in this cross-sectional study, fifty six miners and 5 control persons were studied cross sectionally. prior to beginning of daily work, miners filed questionnaire and then their blood, urine and saliva samples were collected. mnconcentrations in samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (aas). cbc analysis was performed by auto-analyzer system and blood fe, transferrin (tf), ferritin (fr), total iron binding capacity (tibc) and hemoglobin (hb) were determined by respected commercial kits. results processed by using software spss 16. results: between measured indices, only blood mn, fe and tibc had significant difference in miners and controls (p < 0.05). the results showed that although mn and fe level increased in serum of miners but did not cause anemia. result even the maximum manganese of blood, 1580 µg/l has not had undesired effects on miners iron homeostasis. conclusions: therefore mnmining andmnaccumulation in blood did not increase the risk of impaired iron homeostasis. thismay be due to co-exposure to fe (in braunite (mn mineral)) and/or compensatory mechanisms that don’t allow to wide range changes in blood parameters. also personal discrepancy, social status, life style and place may influence the results of present study.