Measurements of manganese with respect to calcium in histological enamel cross sections: Toward a new manganese biomarker

Airborne Mn may become an important route of exposure if the use of Mn-cont aining gasoline additives becomes more widespread. We report on the measure ment of manganese and calcium in histological cross sections of shed decidu ous tooth enamel of three human subjects. The goal of this research was to measure Mn in tooth enamel for use as a biomarker in assessing manganese ex posure in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. The histological locati ons can be time-specific (analogous to examining growth rings in trees). Th is technique, which may identify critical windows of exposure, can be impor tant for evaluating potential vulnerability of the fetus and neonate to inh aled or ingested Mn. (C) 2001 Academic Press.