new research on manganese

I recently attended the Washington Department of Health Drinking Water Advisory Group meeting and learned that new findings are indicating that manganese is not the innocuous substance it was once believed to be.  Preliminary studies are indicating that there is a link between consumption of manganese and brain development in young children.  Increased levels of manganese seem to correlate with a reduction in IQ levels, especially when manganese is present in concentrations greater than 100 mg/l.  While the state and federal government has not yet determined what requirements, if any, should be imposed on drinking water systems, it is likely that systems with elevated levels of manganese will be required to inform customers of the potential risk.  Other options may be to identify manganese as a primary contaminant, which would require regular monitoring, and treatment above a set level.  However, at this time, no additional actions are being required.