The following article was written in 1997, regarding Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), which is an organic manganese compound being added to our gasoline. The article discusses the potential adverse effects on the population.
MMT has been used in Canada since 1976, and was added to leaded gasoline at that time. In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), granted the use of MTT in the United States. It is used today in unleaded gasoline.
This important article addresses the fact that manganese is an essential mineral, but that at high levels it leads to severe nervous system toxicity, and developmental toxicity to fetuses. At the time the article was written, the effects of manganese on the fetus was not yet well known. It is now, and is still being added to our gasoline. WHY?
Importantly, manganese poisoning (which is also found in soy products, and organophosphates), can take a couple of decades for the detrimental effects to show up. It is this writers theory that what we are seeing now in people in the form of neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s, ADD, ADHD, lowered intelligence, lack of critical thought, apathy, memory loss, and anger are a direct result of manganese poisoning, and that the EPA is well aware of this, and has known about it long before it was added to our gasoline. There are just too many papers written in the late 1990’s about warnings, for the EPA to deny it.
Since manganese is in our gasoline, and we are all being affected by it, why worry about it now? Because, knowledge is power, and sharing our knowledge helps to empower others to create a safer, better world for all.
Manganese in the U.S. gasoline supply.
Frumkin H, et al. Am J Ind Med. 1997.Abstract
Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is an organic manganese compound recently approved for use in the United States as a gasoline additive. MMT use is expected to increase. This Commentary analyzes the impact of MMT use on population exposure to manganese, the health effects associated with manganese exposure, and the possibility that MMT use will lead to toxicity in the population. Although MMT use would result in only a small increment in most people’s manganese exposure, certain populations will be disproportionately exposed. Although manganese is an essential nutrient at low levels, high-level manganese exposure leads to a characteristic severe nervous system toxicity. Pulmonary toxicity also occurs at high levels of exposure, and developmental toxicity to fetuses is an important concern based on more limited data. Selected subpopulations may be especially susceptible to the toxic effects of manganese. The critical question is whether the additional population exposure to manganese that would result from widespread MMT use would lead to toxic effects. Currently available evidence does not permit firm conclusions. Common sense and prudence therefore dictate that MMT not be used until further data are available and its safety is confirmed. Several measures are recommended to address the impending use of MMT in the U.S. gasoline supply.
Everything Is Backwards 