Manganese in Water: A Silent Threat to Public Health
A recent study has brought to light a grave issue affecting public health in the Gangetic plains of Bihar—Manganese (Mn) contamination in drinking water. The contamination is linked to severe health consequences, including cancer, posing a significant challenge to ensuring safe and clean drinking water. The Toxicity of Manganese Manganese is the fifth-most abundant metal on earth and exists naturally in various forms, including oxides, carbonates, and silicates. It is a hard, brittle, silvery metal commonly found in food, water, soil, and rocks. While manganese is an essential nutrient necessary for human health in trace amounts, excessive consumption can lead to severe health issues. Health Implications of Manganese According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the acceptable limit for manganese in drinking water is 0.1 mg/L, with a permissible limit of 0.3 mg/L. Consuming water with manganese levels exceeding these limits can result in severe toxicity, manifesting as neurologica...