Manganese Health Research Program: Phase 2, Core 12

Research Core Project Number:
Research Core Project:	Assessment of Genotoxicity and Carcinogenicity of Inorganic-forms of Manganese
Core Principal Investigator (CPI):	Leonard Levy


Key Collaborators:	Louise Assem

Project Objectives:

This project, undertaken by the Institute of Environment and Health (IEH) was intended to provide the Manganese Health Research Program (MHRP) with an up-to-date critical review of all available published studies on the carcinogenic and genotoxic potential of inorganic forms of manganese. Organic manganese compounds, including petrol additives, were considered to fall outside the scope of the current review.

Project Description:

The carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of manganese compounds was reviewed in 2002 (Gerber et al., 2002) and 2004 (IEH, 2004). This latter review suggested that the knowledge base on the genotoxicity of inorganic manganese was incomplete and conflicting, and that there was only limited information on carcinogenic potential. As a consequence, this project was undertaken by the Institute of Environment and Health (IEH) in order to provide the Manganese Health Research Program (MHRP) with an up-to-date review of all available published studies on the carcinogenic and genotoxic potential of inorganic forms of manganese. Organic manganese compounds, including petrol additives, were considered to fall outside the scope of the current review.
This review has focused on the systematic assessment of the robustness of individual experimental studies (considered against current OECD and other test method guidance and classification schemes) as well as consideration of the significance of the individual findings and overall knowledge base (Section 3). Based on the outcomes of the review phase, an assessment of the strength of the existing evidence was undertaken (Section 4) and any gaps in knowledge were identified (Section 5.1). Recommendations for further testing and guidance on the interpretation and potential consequences of the possible outcomes of the proposed test strategy are also given (Sections 5.1 - 5.3).

Project Status:

Final report submitted to MHRP May 2008

Project started:
Scheduled completion date:
Anticipated completion date:

Key research accomplishments:

Publications/Presentations arising from project:

Journal publication is in preparation (March 2009)

Last updates: 1 April 2009