Manganese is mainly absorbed through the lungs. The gastrointestinal absorption is low (3%on
average) it is controlled by homeostatic mechanisms and reduced by concomitant ingestion
of calcium. Absorption is higher in females than in males probably because of the sex
difference in iron body levels. In blood, manganese is mainly present in red blood cells in
which manganese concentration is about 25-fold higher than in serum. Liver is the main site of
storage but manganese accumulates also in the kidney and brain, preferentially in the corpus
striatum and the globus pallidus where it exerts its main toxic effect following chronic
exposure. Manganese concentrations in a patient with chronic exposure poisoning were
elevated in blood. (75mg/L) but normal in urine. Occupational exposure to manganese is
more frequently encountered. CNS symptoms manifestation may only be present after a year
of exposure.