[Neurological examinations of workers with chronic exposure to manganese dioxide during the production of piles and batteries].

The authors examined 118 workers making piles and batteries under conditions of exposure to toxic action of manganese dioxide dust. Neurological and EEG investigations showed presence of pyramidal tract lesion signs in 16.9% of workers, extrapyramidal syndromes in 6.8%, peripheral nervous system involvement in 13.5% and neurotic complaints in 42.4%. The frequency of neurological manifestations was directly proportional to the duration of work in exposure. The difference in the frequency of neurotic complaints and signs of peripheral and central nervous system damage was statistically significant between the group exposed to manganese dioxide and the control group. EEG investigations were performed in 51 workers and abnormalities were found in 21 cases.