Comment on 'Environmental exposure to manganese in air: Associations with tremor and motor function' by Bowler et al. (2016)

摘要

A recent article by Bowler et al. (2016) suggests that elevated levels of manganese (Mn) in air in East Liverpool, Ohio (OH), are related to lower neurological test scores (tremor and motor function) in adult residents. Although the article provides interesting information regarding modeled air concentrations of Mn in East Liverpool and Marietta, OH, the authors have not appropriately considered the relevant Mn air particulate size for evaluating risk. As a result, the inference in the article that elevated levels of Mn in air in East Liverpool are related to the neurological findings in adult residents is not supported. In addition, there are several methodological issues with the study that further limit use of the study for developing causal inferences about levels of Mn in air and neuromotor effects.