Levels of manganese in the air in East Liverpool are a public health hazard and should be lowered, states a federal public health agency.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Ohio to look at whether pollution in the air in East Liverpool, including metals, could cause health problems.
ATSDR found that at certain times and places, levels of manganese in the air were close to levels that might cause health problems. The highest levels were close to levels that caused nervous system effects in people who worked with manganese.
“People exposed to manganese in East Liverpool air will not necessarily get sick from it,” said Mark Johnson, ATSDR Region 5 Coordinator. “Nonetheless, we are recommending steps to reduce manganese levels in the air to protect the health of people in East Liverpool.”
The Ohio EPA and US EPA are working to reduce the amount of manganese in the air.
Levels of all other metals were not of health concern.
ATSDR and the other agencies will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, November 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to answer questions. The meeting will be held at the
East Liverpool Motor Lodge
2340 Dresden Avenue
East Liverpool, Ohio 43920
330-386-5858.
Sites around the city were tested for air quality between 1999 and 2009. The Water Plant site had the highest levels of manganese in the air. The Port Authority site and Maryland Avenue (East Elementary School) site had much lower levels.
Manganese is a naturally occurring metal found in rocks and soil. Small amounts of it are important for good health. Foods like beans, nuts, and tea have manganese. Industrial and other human activities can also release manganese into the air.
Breathing or eating too much manganese could cause problems to the nervous system. In children, very high levels could cause problems in learning or remembering.
ATSDR recommends that the agencies continue to work together to see if manganese exposures are causing health problems in the community.
ATSDR wrote its evaluation of manganese exposures in East Liverpool air in a report called a Health Consultation. If you would like to see copies of the Health Consultation, ATSDR has placed it along with fact sheets, and other agency materials in the Carnegie Public Library of East Liverpool, 219 E. 4th St., East Liverpool, OH 43920. You can also view the materials online at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/east_liverpool/index.html
Members of the media can call 770-488-0700 for more information. Members of the media are also invited to a media availability session from 6 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the East Liverpool Motor Lodge.