A recent study found an association between the concentration of manganese in tap water and children’s IQ.
The study, published online Sept. 20 in Environmental Health Perspectives, is the first one to assess potential risks of manganese in drinking water in North America, according to a press release.
“We found significant deficits in the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children exposed to higher concentration of manganese in drinking water. Yet, manganese concentrations were well below current guidelines,” said lead author Dr. Maryse Bouchard of Université du Québec à Montréal in a press release.
The research was done in Quebec, Canada, on 362 children from 6 to 13 years old whose homes are supplied with groundwater. The researchers measured the children’s manganese intake from the concentration of manganese in their tap water, a questionnaire about their diet, and the concentration of manganese in their hair, and gave them a battery of tests assessing performance and verbal IQ.
The study found no association between manganese intake from food and the children’s IQ, but higher concentrations of manganese in tap water was correlated with lower IQ scores from the children.
“There was a 6.2-IQ point difference between children in the lowest and highest MnW quintiles,” reads the research paper.
Although there is no proof that manganese in drinking water can cause a deficit in children’s intelligence, the strong correlation suggests the possibility of such an effect.
“Few environmental contaminants have shown such a strong correlation with intellectual ability,” said Dr. Donna Mergler of Université du Québec à Montréal.
Dr. Benoit Barbeau of École Polytechnique de Montréal suggested using filtering pitchers with resins and activated carbon to avoid consuming manganese from water.
To read the research paper, please visit http://tiny.cc/h7hv5
The study, published online Sept. 20 in Environmental Health Perspectives, is the first one to assess potential risks of manganese in drinking water in North America, according to a press release.
“We found significant deficits in the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children exposed to higher concentration of manganese in drinking water. Yet, manganese concentrations were well below current guidelines,” said lead author Dr. Maryse Bouchard of Université du Québec à Montréal in a press release.
The research was done in Quebec, Canada, on 362 children from 6 to 13 years old whose homes are supplied with groundwater. The researchers measured the children’s manganese intake from the concentration of manganese in their tap water, a questionnaire about their diet, and the concentration of manganese in their hair, and gave them a battery of tests assessing performance and verbal IQ.
The study found no association between manganese intake from food and the children’s IQ, but higher concentrations of manganese in tap water was correlated with lower IQ scores from the children.
“There was a 6.2-IQ point difference between children in the lowest and highest MnW quintiles,” reads the research paper.
Although there is no proof that manganese in drinking water can cause a deficit in children’s intelligence, the strong correlation suggests the possibility of such an effect.
“Few environmental contaminants have shown such a strong correlation with intellectual ability,” said Dr. Donna Mergler of Université du Québec à Montréal.
Dr. Benoit Barbeau of École Polytechnique de Montréal suggested using filtering pitchers with resins and activated carbon to avoid consuming manganese from water.
To read the research paper, please visit http://tiny.cc/h7hv5
