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Degree

MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine : Environmental Health, 2008.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate postural balance and biological markers of a population chronically exposed to low levels of ambient manganese(Mn). Methods: Hair and blood sampling and postural balance testing were performed on participants residing near a ferromanganese refinery. The relationship between blood and hair Mn measurements and postural balance was analyzed with logistic regression. Postural balance of residents was compared with control data by analysis of covariance. Results: A significant correlation between hair Mn and postural balance was seen in two test conditions. Blood Mn was not found to be significant. Five of eight postural balance measures were significantly larger when compared with controls. Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate a significant relationship between hair Mn and postural balance. The postural balance outcomes of our study suggest subclinical functional impairment of vestibular and proprioceptive pathways within this study population. These preliminary findings warrant a prospective study with a larger sample size.

Subject Headings

Environmental science; Public health

Keywords

manganese; hair; blood; balance; sway; Marietta

Committee / Advisors

Erin Haynes, DrPH (Committee Chair)
Amit Bhattacharya, PhD (Committee Co-Chair)
Paul Succop, PhD (Committee Member)
Amy Rohs, MD, MS (Committee Member)

Pages

61p.

Document number: ucin1211903710
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1211903710

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