Manganese tetroxide

Synonyms

Manganese oxide; M 34; M 34 (pigment); Manganese tetraoxide; Manganomanganic oxide; Trimanganese tetraoxide; Trimanganese tetroxide; [ChemIDplus] Manganese (II,III) oxide; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]

Category

Manganese Compounds, Inorganic

Description

Brownish-black powder. [Note: Fumes are generated whenever manganese oxides are heated strongly in air.] [NIOSH] Brown odorless powder; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Generated in ferromanganese fume during the pouring of molten ferromanganese alloys; [ACGIH] Naturally occurs as the mineral hausmannite; [Merck Index]

Comments

Pneumonitis has been observed in animals exposed to high concentrations. Chronic manganese poisoning has been reported in workers in steel production exposed to ferromanganese dust or fumes in crushing/screening and pouring/casting operations. [ACGIH] There is limited positive data that manganese can cause decreased libido and impotence in humans and limited positive and negative data that it can cause testicular damage in animals. [ATSDR Case Studies # 29] Impotence and loss of libido are common symptoms of patients with chronic manganese poisoning; These adverse effects to reproductive functioning may be secondary to the neurotoxicity of manganese; [Nordberg, p. 996] May cause mechanical irritation; Chronic exposure may cause CNS and pulmonary effects with symptoms including increased susceptibility to bronchitis, pneumonitis, and neurologic/neuropsychiatric disorders (manganism); May be toxic to human reproduction or development, based on animal studies; [ICSC] A skin and strong eye irritant; Harmful by inhalation; Toxic by ingestion and skin absorption; [Alfa Aesar MSDS] See "Manganese" and linked occupational diseases.

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

Yes

0.02 mg/m3, as Mn (respirable fraction), 0.1 mg/m3, as Mn (inhalable fraction)

Ceiling(OSHA) = 5 mg/m3, as Mn

0.2 mg/m3, as Mn, (inhalable fraction), 0.02 mg/m3, as Mn (respirable fraction)

LC (mouse) > 3.6 mg/m3/2hr

Yes

Parkinsonism

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Manganese, chronic toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Metal Preparation and Pouring
• Steel Producing